Squeezing dignity out of seniors

There was this online announcement a couple of days ago, looking all very official and authentic, that all senior citizens regardless of whether or not they are already receiving pensions from whatever source (GSIS or SSS), would be getting ?1,000 a month or ?3,000 every three months from the government. The news naturally created quite a stir.

As it turned out, and quite sadly if I may add, the news was fake, or at least only partly true. It appears there was an attempt to sow confusion and discord in order to discredit the administration. National Commission of Senior Citizens chairman Franklin Quijano had to rush a clarification and appeal for calm.

Quijano said the announcement did not come from his agency but that malicious personalities had copied the NCSC logo to make it appear the news was real. Only the ?1,000 per month or ?3,000 every three months was correct because that was what a new law, RA 11916, provided --to increase the present senior pension of ?500 a month a hundred percent.

The rest was fake. Not all senior citizens would benefit. Only indigent seniors numbering 4.1 million out of 12.2 million listed nationwide would get the aid. There is no rush to register as the existing lists remain valid. More importantly, there is no money yet. The NCSC, which takes over the responsibility over seniors from DSWD, has yet to get funds from DBM.

Now that the matter has been put to rest, every effort must be made to go after the culprits, not only for the various crimes they committed by their malicious act but also for causing anxiety and failed expectations among senior citizens. This only adds to the growing woes of the elderly in this country who do not get the respect and dignity they deserve.

Frankly, I do not see how succeeding administrations in this country can heap benefits and accolades on OFWs who, with the kind of money they earn, are even considered heroes of the national economy while at the same time reserve only peanuts for senior citizens who spent their entire productive lives serving the same country.

For example, why must a distinction be made between a senior who is indigent and one who is not? As both are seniors under any and all legal qualifications, they should be treated equally in benefits as well. It is not as if the government can go bankrupt if it provides the peanuts across the board. If we can put up with corruption, why not suffer the seniors?

I know for a fact that some people I know back in Cebu whom I consider to be very well off do make it a point to get their seniors allowance from the city government, not because they need the money, but as a matter of principle. The money comes from taxes they pay. And if the benefit applies to all seniors, they merely exercise their right to avail of the aid.

Making benefits available to ALL seniors regardless of economic status is but a small way of showing those who bore this nation on their backs during their time some appreciation and gratitude. A nation unable to show appreciation and gratitude to its senior citizens in a meaningful way is a nation that has no self-respect and will be condemned to be disrespected by others.