Making milestones: enhancing benefits and services for senior citizens of Ligao City

The City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua (left) conducts Elderly Week every year. Senior citizens who reached the "mileage age" receive cash gifts from the City Government.

To provide more benefits to the senior citizens and give them opportunities to contribute in community development, the City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua through the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) with Chairman Vicente P. Aldea, implement programs and activities that elicit the active participation of senior citizens.

Anchored under the Republic Act 9994, also known as Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, senior citizens can avail benefits and privileges such as the 20% discount on medical needs, recreation centers, and transportation; and are given priority when transacting in bank, commercial/private, and government establishments.

To avail the benefits and services for senior citizens, elders should be at least 60 years old and must be a Filipino citizen. OSCA issues the Senior Citizen’s ID to those who qualify the minimum requirements. A registration fee of only Php 100 is required to complete the application. The registration fee, which was previously worth Php 60, was raised to increase the amount of burial assistance from Php 1,000 to Php 1,500

Elderly Week

One of the major activities of the City Government for the senior citizens is the Elderly Week which is held every first week of October. However, since some senior citizens are unable to attend due to travel time and expenses, and health risks, the City Government brings the program closer to them. The Elderly Week is held in five clustered units of barangays: coastal unit, upland unit, lowland unit, Mayon unit, and Poblacion unit.

The Elderly Week is held every first week of October. Senior Citizens 

During the Elderly Week, a medical mission is held with free consultation and medicines. Senior citizens also enjoy singing, dancing, and parlor games with cash prizes prepared during the event. Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, being a senior citizen himself, joins the Elderly Week to share the celebration of elders. He also gives incentives to senior citizens who actively participate during the showcase of talents.

“Mileage age”

Upon reaching the “mileage age” of 80, 85, 90, and 100, senior citizens receive cash gifts worth Php 500, Php 1,000, Php 1,500, Php 2,000, and Php 20,000 respectively. When a senior citizen reaches the centennial age (100), a bonus worth Php 10,000 is given each year in the preceding years.

103-year old Nacional Divinaflor was awarded as the Oldest Senior Citizen in Ligao last October 2014. 

Senior citizens celebrating their birthdays are advised to report to the Office of the City Mayor on the first week of their birth month to claim their mileage cash gift. For those who are unable to visit the office, the Senior Citizen Federation accompanied by a representative from the City Treasurer’s Office go to the birthday celebrator’s residence to personally deliver the birthday cash gift.

Aside from birthday cash gift, the City Government also gives Php 1,000 cash gift every Christmas to senior citizens who are duly registered.

In addition, the City Government has provided a separate medical and rehabilitation clinic for the senior citizens for their medical needs.

Reaping the benefits

Emiliana Olmeda, a 67-year old senior citizen from Barangay Basag is enjoying the benefits of the government’s programs and services for senior citizens. On 18 November 2015, Olmeda claimed her husband’s pension. Her 73-year old husband was not able to claim his pension personally as he just suffered from stroke. Despite having this challenge, Olmeda is happy to reap the benefits of being a registered Senior Citizen.

For 25 years, Olmeda served as Barangay Captain of Basag and now serving as the President of Senior Citizens in her barangay. She is an active member of the Senior Citizens Federation and attends to all activities of the City Government for the senior citizens. Participating in different activities and programs keep her busy and active with her lifestyle. It makes her feel needed by the community.

Added benefits in 2016

In 2016, senior citizens can look forward to better services and added benefits as the City Government will allocate an annual budget of Php 11,700,000 for the senior citizens.

Office of  the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Chairman Vicente P. Aldea announces new benefits that senior citizens will receive in 2016.

According to OSCA Chairman Aldea, the minimum mileage age will be adjusted to 75 and cash gift has increased by Php 250, which results to the following cash gift amounts:

• 75 years old – Php 500 
• 80 years old – Php 750 
• 85 years old – Php 1,250
• 90 years old – Php 1,750
• 95 years old – Php 3,000 
• 100 years old – Php 20,000 (Plus yearly bonus of Php 10,000) 

Furthermore, the City Government will allot Php 50,000 in 2016 for senior citizens who will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. The allocated fund shall be divided to the celebrating couples. Lala Penafiel | albay3d.blogspot.com