Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced additional benefits for senior citizens in Manila following the signing of City Ordinance 8570 granting an P800 birthday gift for the elderly of the city starting next year. This is on top of the P500 monthly allowance he earlier announced.
Moreno said that the city’s senior citizens will also receive birthday cakes, an idea that he admitted was copied from neighboring Makati City. “If Makati can do it, why not Manila?”
“I hope you don’t get a bad impression of me copying things, at ako naman hindi mahihiyang mangopya ng mangopya [I won’t be ashamed of copying and copying],” he said.
Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents in the capital are also entitled to a P500 monthly allowance from the city government.
Meanwhile, in line with the nationwide observance of Elderly Filipino Week held annually on the first week of October, Moreno on Monday supervised the conduct of free flu and pneumococcal vaccination for over 500 of the city’s senior citizens, dubbed “Bakunado si Lolo at Lola, Iwas Pulmonya at Trangkaso.”
Held at the Dapitan Sports Complex in Sampaloc, Manila, the activities highlighted the importance of vaccination against respiratory infections, like pneumonia and influenza, especially for elderly citizens who are among the most prone to the disease.
The free vaccines were provided by the Department of Health as part of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.
Moreno believes that immunization is an important step to ensuring the overall health of the constituents and the flu vaccination campaign demonstrates the city government’s concern for the elderly Manileños.
Supporting the flu vaccination drive are doctors from the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) and the Philippine College of Geriatric Medicine (PCGM).
PCGM President Dr. Edwin Fortuno said that influenza is one of the 10 major causes of death among the elderly. “This infectious disease may be seasonal in nature but it should not be underestimated,” he said. “Every year it claims the lives of hundreds of Filipinos. Those who are 65 years and older will, most likely, experience complications that can lead to severe pneumonia, dehydration and exacerbation of chronic conditions, like heart disease and asthma that can possibly result in hospitalization and death.”
PCGM explained that influenza also targets young children, as well as those with long term or chronic health conditions that have weakened their immune systems.
“Annual vaccination is the best way to protect against catching and spreading flu, at any age,” Fortuno said. “Flu vaccines have been in use for more than 60 years, and proven safe and effective.”
PCGM also urged more Filipinos to get vaccinated against influenza by visiting their doctors or the nearest health center.
Image credits: Manila PIO
2 comments
Where May we claim our birthday benefit of p500 this year and the monthly benefit next year?
Mayor sabi mo hindi masama mag copy sa makati, bka pwde mo copyahin un travel benefits ng makati senior. Un birthday cake mo maliit sa 800pesos, malaki pa un dedication cake ng goldi less than 800 po.