The House Special Committee on Senior Citizens chaired by Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes approved several House bills (HBs) seeking to promote the health and wellbeing of elderly Filipinos, via legislated immunization, eye care and nutrition programs.
Approved for consolidation into one substitute measure were HB 2097 by Ordanes and HB 4458 by Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting, which seeks to mandate the DOH to vaccinate all senior citizens against influenza, virus, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, among others.
The bill, once enacted into law, would amend Section 4 of Republic Act 7432, as amended by RA 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, and provide funds therefor.
Tambunting explained that the provision of free immunization to the target beneficiaries would ensure that senior citizens maintain quality of life.
Upon the motion of Quezon City 6th District Representative Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, the panel also approved the consolidation into one substitute measure HB 1553 by Bukidnon Representative Jose Ma. Zubiri and HB 7205 by Benguet Representative Eric Go Yap.
Both measures provide for a national eye service program for senior citizens with functional visual impairments. The committee secretariat shall prepare the substitute bill.
“The prevention and alleviation of visual handicaps or ailments of senior citizens contributes to the establishment of a healthier citizenry and country.”
In the explanatory note of HB 1553, Zubiri said the prevention and alleviation visual handicaps or ailments of senior citizens contributes to the establishment of a healthier citizenry and country.
The panel also approved HB 7064 by Ordanes, providing for a comprehensive and strengthened nutrition program for senior citizens and appropriating funds therefore, amending for the purpose RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, as amended.
“My proposal seeks to strengthen the country’s current nutritional framework.”
The legislator said that his proposal seeks to strengthen the country’s current nutritional framework and ensure compliance to the State’s constitutional mandate to prioritize the health of the increasing population of senior citizens in the country.
