Letter to the Editor – The joys and tribulations of senior citizens
Republic Act No. 9257 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2003 grants several privileges to the Senior Citizen of the
One of the privileges is the 20 percent discount of medicines. Many more senior citizens are also entitled to a minimal discount in transportations like buses, jeepneys, taxi, ships, airplanes, recreational facilities like moviehouses, restaurants, hotels, resorts hospital and other discountable commodities under R.A. 9257 for senior citizens.
R.A. No. 9257 sounds very consoling for the senior citizens but the truth of the matter is that it is easier for the biblical camel to enter the eye of the needle than for the senior citizens to get a discount for the privileges stipulated in this law.
In buying medicines alone, it's already an uphill climb for the senior citizens. Very few drugstores are giving discounts to the senior citizens on doctor's prescribed medicines. It's a hit-and-miss situation. More often than not, senior citizens are told there is no available stock upon presenting the doctor's prescription, ID and purchase order.
Another extremely difficult situation for senior citizens is riding the jeepneys. The fare-hike-hungry drivers don't give a damn discounting the fares of senior citizens. Way kalo-oy sa mga tigulang. Pakapinan pa'g kanta, "Ang tigulang".
Despite of all odds, senior citizens still have their joyful moments because the hospital, restaurants, moviehouses, airplanes, ships and hotels have complied with R.A. 9257.
Salcedo C. Gines
Bliss, Labangon,
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