IN honor of the elderly, the local government of Valenzuela continues to adopt initiatives seeking to uplift the living conditions of senior citizens.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, and Alliance of Senior Citizens of Valenzuela City Inc. (ASC-VCI) commended the recently approved policies that are beneficial for senior citizens at a symposium, titled “Pensyon at iba pang benepisyo sa Nakatatanda, paano mapapaunlad?,” which was held at the Valenzuela City Astrodome in Barangay Dalandanan.
During the event, the benefits under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 were discussed.
These included that 20-percent discount privilege for the elderly and value-added tax exemption for the following transactions: professional fees of physicians, licensed health workers; purchase of medicines; medical and dental services and laboratory fees; fare for any land transportation, domestic air and sea services; utilization of hotels and similar lodging establishments; admission fees on theaters, concert halls, circuses, etc.; and funeral and burial services.
Discounts given are still considered as tax deductions and not tax credits. Realty tax holiday for the first five years, on the other hand, is being given to those establishing foster-care facilities.
Meanwhile, employment of senior citizens will entitle the employer to additional tax deductions of 15 percent of total amount paid as salaries and wages to the elderly, provided that the job lasts for at least six months.
Apart from these entitlements, the city government, led by Mayor Rexlon T. Gatchalian, also rewards constituents who reach 100 years of age.
The last batch of the beneficiaries were 11 centenarians, who were given P20,000 each during the ASC-VCI Summit held at the VCCPA Auditorium in Barangay Malinta.
They were Aurea D. Delfin, Bonifacia DG Sambrano, Dolores Barroga, Felisa F. Mercado, Juana A. Nucum, Maxima A. Ogaro, Roberto C. Anselmo, Segunda A. Bartolome, Victoria D. Paulo, Victoria P. Montesa and Victoriano SA. Luzon.
Valenzuela’s elderly, despite receiving perks and privileges, however, do not let themselves become a burden to society, as they remain useful in their own ways.
Murita Paulino, 65, is an example of an elderly who lives a lifestyle that best explains why a senior citizen in Valenzuela City deserves to be paid attention to and nurtured.
A resident of Barangay Dalandadan, she serves as a Bantay Estudyante volunteer, who helps guarantee the safety of public-school children on the streets. She is also a feeding-program volunteer of Central Kitchen.
Even without any monetary reward, Nanay Muring said she’s happy to serve the needy, especially the young.
“Gusto ko pong makatulong sa mga batang nangangailangan ng aking serbisyo… kahit ako’y pagod sa school, pagod sa bahay, [yung pagtulong ko], nagbabalot, nagsasandok ng kanin [sa Central Kitchen], masaya na po ako [I want to help the children who need my service…even if I’m tired serving at school, tired working at home, I do enjoy helping at the Central Kitchen during food preparations],” she said.
Asked if she has plans to retire from her vocation to enjoy the benefits she has been receiving as a senior citizen, the elderly promised that she would continue to volunteer herself to noble works as long as she’s healthy and fit.