Free healthcare, other benefits for elderly pushed

MANILA, Philippines - Senior citizens short of means and are “hardly employable” will get free medication and hospitalization from the government through House Bill 6682, which is still on the committee level at the House of Representatives.

Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Godofredo Arquiza, the bill’s author, said in a statement Tuesday that the pending legislation aims to address the needs of 5.8 million elderly members of society.

"It is unfortunate that at such stage, one is already hardly employable for a means of livelihood to answer for these expensive health services which is the predicament of many senior citizens," Arquiza said.

The bill proposes that public hospitals slash charges off medicines and treatment of needy seniors as well as make surgeries and other medical procedures free.

"While they have given so much during the prime of their lives as productive members of society, they are now left to provide for themselves," Arquiza said.

The solon added that the senior citizens’ privileges are “hardly sufficient” as their health needs are not covered by existing packages.

Also pending before the House of Representatives' population and family relations committee are proposed measures establishing centers for homeless and abandoned senior citizens and granting discounts to elderly individuals in government agencies and court fees.