MANILA, Philippines — Job opportunities will be available for senior citizens still fit to work to empower them, if former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar gets elected senator in the May 2022 elections.
Eleazar also vowed to work hard to ensure that senior citizens are provided with support for their health and basic needs from the national government.
He stressed the need for a support system for the elderly during a meet and greet in Tanza, Cavite on Monday.
He said he would push to give equal job opportunities for senior citizens, citing a news report about an old man who applied and was hired to work as a call center agent.
“We are very happy with the short time we have with some senior citizens in Tanza, Cavite. Through this visit, I am even more eager to include in my advocacies in the Senate the welfare of our grandparents, ” Eleazar said.
“Most of our senior citizens are still strong and have been forced to stop working due to retirement age. This is one of the things we will focus on to provide more jobs to senior citizens who can still earn,” he said.
Eleazar also vowed to ensure a support system for senior citizens when it comes to their medicine and health care needs.
He has been advocating to bring doctors and medicines closer to the people through regular barangay medical visitation, especially in far-flung areas, for checkup and the downloading of basic medicines and maintenance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Farmers’ group
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has endorsed five senatorial candidates mainly driven by their support for the agriculture sector.
In a statement yesterday, FFF board chairman and former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor announced their support for senatorial candidates Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Jose Matula and Emmanuel Piñol.
“Our board’s decision was based on these candidates’ outstanding record of public service and firm support for our agricultural sector, especially on critical concerns like Philippine membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement,” Montemayor said.
Both Gordon and Hontiveros are incumbent senators, while Escudero is a former senator and is currently governor of Sorsogon. – Catherine Talavera, Jose Rodel Clapano