Speaker Prospero C. Nograles said that with the ratification of the P1.540 trillion General Appropriations Act of 2010, he is confident Congress can still pass vital legislations, including the measure that extends more benefits and privileges to senior citizens which was approved by the House last October and recently approved on second reading by the Senate.
“This is one of the less controversial, but very important, legislations that we can still pass in January, although we already expect serious quorum problems because of the election season. This will be our belated Christmas present to our senior citizens who should enjoy life even in their twilight years,” Nograles said.
“I’ve already discussed this with Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile and he assured me that we can still pass this measure when Congress resumes in January,” Nograles added as he announced the bicam ratification of HB 5649 which seeks to improve the standards of protection and assistance for migrant workers and HB 5618 which provides free patent title for residential lands.
HB 6390, which shall be known as the “Comprehensive Senior Citizens Act (CoSCA) of 2009,” recognizes the rights of senior citizens to take their proper place in society and make it a concern of the family, community and government.
Aside from the Speaker, the leading authors and advocates of the measure are, among others: Reps. Eduardo Zialcita, Martin Romualdez, Cynthia Villar, Mary Ann Susano, Carlos Padilla, Narciso Santiago, Mauricio Domogan, Antonio Cuenco, Roilo Golez, Diosdado ‘Dato’ Arroyo, Teddy Casino, Satur Ocampo, and deputy Speakers Amelita Villarosa and Raul del Mar.
Nograles revealed that the 14th Congress, until it bows out next year, will hasten deliberation on some several various bills intended to benefit the country’s elderly.
The House leader said HB 6390 contains the various proposals by lawmakers touching on the different benefits and privileges for long term care for senior citizens, among others.
“These exclude House Bill No. 5210, a substitute to 15 similar measures, already approved by both the House and the Senate. The bicameral conference committee, as of today was reported to have adopted the Senate version under SB 3392. The bill exempts the sale of medicines and goods and services to senior citizens from the E-VAT,” the authors said.
Principal authors of HB 5210 include among others: Reps. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Juan Edgardo Angara, Fredenil Castro,Marcelino Teodoro, Monico Puentevella, Jose Yap, Exequiel Javier, Antonio Cuenco, Amado Bagatsing, Raul Gonzalez, Jr., Florencio Miraflores, Datu Pax Mangudadatu, Vincent Crisologo, Ronald Singson, Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David and deputy Speaker Raul del Mar.
Nograles noted the hard work inputted by the chairpersons and members of the following House panels: Committees on Population and Family Relations; Appropriations; Health; Ways and Means; and Local Government.
The House Committee on population chaired by Rep. Reynaldo S. Uy incorporated in HB 6390 the proposed grant of a lump sum death benefit assistance to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizen under the original HB 2717 authored by Rep. Proceso Alcala of Quezon.
Rep. Jose Solis of Sorsogon is author of HB 1032 which also found its way in the provisions of HB 6390, proposing the imposition of stiffer penalties on pharmacies and drug stores which refuse to honor senior citizen cards issued by the government.
Manila’s Bievenido Abante is the principal author of HB 3835 that was also incorporated into HB 6390, providing for the Magna Carta of Senior Citizens who shared the best years of their lives helping the country attain its strong economic foundation that continue to mitigate the adverse effects of the global crisis.
Reps. Diosdado ‘Dato’ Arroyo of Camarines Sur and Carmelo Lazatin of Pampanga have separate bills proposing the provision of a comprehensive program to address the long-term care benefits of senior citizens (HBs 2438, 2708). Said bills are now in advance stages in committee.
To make their twilight years productive, Rep. Nannette Castelo-Daza of Quezon City is fighting for the establishment of a senior citizens technology and livelihood center to be located in every barangay nationwide.
Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, for her part, came up with HB 3554 so that senior citizens, war veterans and PTAs are given active representations in the local health boards.
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