Senior citizens slam R1MC, drugstore chain
LAWYER Cornelia M. Español, president of the Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines -Dagupan City Chapter, has asked Mayor Benjamin S. Lim and Councilor Jesus Canto to intervene in behalf of the city’s elderly to admonish the management of a local drugstore and the government-owned Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) for allegedly refusing to comply with the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2012.”
Español was elected as the federation’s president for another term last month and was formally sworn into office by Lim last Wednesday.
“I have received numerous calls from my fellow senior citizens sharing their complaints against them… it’s about time that I have to bring these to your attention so you can help us,” Español said.
As proof, Español showed a receipt issued by R1MC to a former president of the Barangay Senior Citizen Association of Bacayao Sur that indicates that he was made to pay for his medical expense in full and ws not ext4ended the 20 percent discount as provided for under Republic Act 7432 as amended by Republic Act 9994.
“Ang sabi ng R1MC, kailangan daw nila ng pera,” Español said.
As to the local drugstore chain, “Kapag ang bibili ng gamot ay isang senior citizen, ang agad na sasabihin ay wala daw silang stock. Pero sinubukan naming mag-utos ng hindi isang senior citizen na bumili ng parehas na gamot sa kanila, lalabas na meron pala silang stock,” Español pointed out.
Lim assured the senior citizens that they would urge the two establishments to comply with the law.
ACCREDITED
Meanwhile, The Senior Citizen Center of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Dagupan has been officially recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after satisfactorily complying with the minimum standards for accreditation last April 11.
Social Welfare Officer III Fritzie C. Barrameda cited the more than P1.7million budget appropriated this year by Lim to the federation’s activities as a significant contribution in promoting the senior citizens’ rights and privileges.
The center operates from Monday to Friday and is personally managed by the president and the officers of the association in close coordination with the designated city social welfare and development officer’s focal person.
The association also generated a .50% funds from their respective barangays as well as through membership fees, income generating project (pharmacy for senior citizens), donations, pledges and solicitations. (CIO)
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