Senior Citizen and PWDs

Sen. Bam seeks additional P1,000 social pension for senior citizens

A senator wants to increase the social pension of senior citizens as gratitude to their valued contribution to the development of the country and to provide them with additional income to help them deal with the prevailing high prices of goods.

In his Senate Bill No. 2142, Sen. Bam Aquino seeks to mandate the government to give a social pension of P1,000 to all senior citizens who do not have social pension or to those receiving a pension not exceeding P3,000.

 “Kailangang-kailangan ng ating senior citizens ang dagdag na pensiyon para makatugon sa kanilang araw-araw na pangangailangan at makatulong sa gastusin ng kanilang pamilya. Mahalaga ito lalo na’t mataas ang presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

 “Napakalaki ng kontribusyon ng ating senior citizen sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa. Panahon na para bigyan natin sila ng karampatang kalinga at pag-aala bilang pagkilala sa kanilang sakripisyo para sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, a study conducted by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) indicated that social pension contributed on average almost a third of household income.

 However, Sen. Bam said that the same study showed that only 32 percent of eight million senior citizens in the country receive social pension of P500 a month, while 38 percent do not receive any pension at all.

 When it comes to the 1.5 million Social Security System (SSS) pensioners, less than half receives not more than P3,400 per month.

“With no or inadequate pension for many Filipino senior citizens, they are forced to rely on the modest incomes of their families who are also struggling to make a living,” said Sen. Bam.

 “Giving them social pension will greatly help to address their daily needs, and provide some relief to their households,” the senator added.

 Aside from additional social pension for senior citizens, Sen.Bam is also working for the creation of a National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) through his Senate Bill No. 674.

 The bill seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board and replacing it with NCSC.

 The council will be spearheaded by a chairperson and commissioners from a list submitted by senior citizens organizations and associations.

Sen. Bam renews call to establish gov’t body dedicated to seniors, elderly

During Elderly Filipino Week, Sen. Bam Aquino hopes to rally more government support for our senior citizens. 
 
“Napakahalaga ng papel ng senior citizens sa ating lipunan at sa inyong mga pamilya kaya marapat lang na bigyang tulong ang ating senior citizen,” Sen. Bam stressed this point when he met with leaders of different senior citizens’ organizations from Luzon. 
 
In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 674 to create a National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) to ensure that rights and privileges they are entitled to are properly given to senior citizens. 
 
“Mahalagang masiguro na ang lahat ng benepisyong nakalaan sa ating senior citizens ay naibibigay. Tutukan natin ang kanilang kapakanan,” said Sen. Bam, whose father and mother are now both senior citizens. 
 
The bill seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board and replacing it with NCSC. 
 
The council will be spearheaded by a chairperson and commissioners from a list submitted by senior citizens organizations and associations. 
 
During his talk with senior citizens, Sen. Bam said that the Go Negosyo Act, which he sponsored and authored in the 16th Congress, will give them a chance to venture into business, which will enable them to provide additional help to their family. 
 
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagnenegosyo, mayroon pa rin tayong paraan para makatulong sa ating mga pamilya,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
Sen. Bam also assured senior citizens of his full support behind the Universal Social Pension Bill filed by Sen. Grace Poe. The bill aims to provide a universal social pension for all senior citizens.

Sen. Bam rallies support for Filipino deaf community, FSL Act

Deaf Filipinos will soon be empowered with their own national language after the Senate passed on third and final reading the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Act, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1455 on third and final reading via 20 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and no abstention.

“We hope to build a society where every Filipino is valued and respected. Let’s support and empower the Filipino deaf community,” said Sen. Bam, who explained that the FSL Act seeks to recognize Filipino Sign Language or FSL as the national sign language and endeavors to bring it to the mainstream.

In his sponsorship speech as vice chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam said the FSL will give the deaf community better access to government services, information, education, and justice.

If enacted into law, the FSL will become the official mode of communication of the deaf for government services, calling for trained interpreters in various government offices. 

The measure also aims to make FSL as means of interpretation in broadcast media, delivering news and information consistently to the deaf community.

In his five years in the Senate, Sen. Bam has continuously worked hard for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs). In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754, which exempts PWDs from paying value added tax (VAT), as co-author.

Sen. Bam also worked for the passage of Republic Act 10905 or the Closed Caption Law as co-author. It requires television networks to use the closed captioning system for news and current affairs programs and entertainment shows for the benefit of viewers with hearing impairment.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 967 requiring Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs. He also filed Senate Bill No. 1249 seeking to mandate government offices and private companies to allocate a percentage of their workforce for PWDs.

Sen. Bam pushes for more opportunities for PWDs

As the world celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Sunday (Dec. 3), Sen. Bam Aquino reiterated the call for the passage of his two measures that support Filipino PWDs and provide them with the needed assistance.

“We need to ensure that our PWDs are given proper assistance and opportunities to make a living,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 356 and 1249 in the 17th Congress.

 Under Senate Bill No. 1249, government agencies and private offices must allot two and one percent of their workforce, respectively, to PWDs.

“This bill seeks to create more job opportunities for PWDs in the workforce and provide commensurate compensation, benefits and employment terms for PWDs as any other qualified employee,” Sen. Bam said.

 Senate Bill No. 356 aims to provide mandatory Philhealth coverage for PWDs, to ensure that their health is protected.

 “Social services should be provided to those with the least in society. Health services should be provided to those who need it the most,” Sen. Bam said, referring to Senate Bill No. 356.

 The two measures aim to amend Republic Act 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability” to accommodate the latest benefits and privileges for PWDs.

 In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam worked for the welfare of PWDs as co-author of Republic Act 10754 in the Senate. The law exempts PWDs from paying the value added tax (VAT) and gives tax incentives to persons with PWD dependents, up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Sen. Bam urges lawmakers to pass FSL for deaf Filipinos

Sen. Bam Aquino urged fellow lawmakers to approve a measure giving deaf Filipinos a national language that honors the country’s diverse cultures and colorful history.

“Kailangan natin ng opisyal na wika upang epektibo ang pakikipag-usap natin sa mga bingi. Naniniwala po kami na ang Filipino Sign Language o FSL ang pinaka-angkop na national sign language,” said Sen. Bam in his co-sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1455.

Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 966 or the Filipino Sign Language Act was incorporated in Senate Bill No. 1455.

In his speech, Sen. Bam mentioned that the use of sign language dates back to 1596, according to Dr. Liza Martinez, an esteemed Filipino Sign Linguist.

At present, Sen. Bam said FSL has evolved to be an effective visual language that is well-researched, based on Filipino culture and history, and even incorporates indigenous elements.

“The Filipino Sign Language Act seeks to recognize Filipino Sign Language or FSL as the national sign language and endeavors to bring FSL to the mainstream,” said Sen. Bam.

If enacted into law, the FSL will become the official mode of communication of the deaf for government services, calling for trained interpreters in various government offices.

The measure also aims to make FSL as means of interpretation in broadcast media, delivering news and information consistently to the deaf community.

“Let’s build a more inclusive Philippine society and give the deaf community better access to government services, information, education, and justice,” Sen. Bam stressed.

In his four years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has tirelessly worked for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754, which exempts PWDs from paying value added tax (VAT), in the 16th Congress as co-author.

He also worked for the passage of Republic Act 10905 or the Closed Caption Law as co-author. It requires television networks to use the closed captioning system for news and current affairs programs and entertainment shows for the benefit of viewers with hearing impairment.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 967 requiring Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs. He also filed Senate Bill No. 1249 seeking to mandate government offices and private companies to allocate a percentage of their workforce for PWDs.

Sen. Bam pushes for passage of FSL measure, lauds SONA sign-language interpreters

Sen. Bam Aquino lauded the sign language interpreters for making President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) accessible to our deaf countrymen even as he pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 966 or the Filipino Sign Language Act.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa sign language interpreters sa SONA sa kanilang pagsisikap na maihatid ang mensahe ng ating Pangulo sa ating mga kababayang bingi,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 966.

“Maraming humanga sa mga interpreters sa mahigit na dalawang oras na SONA ng Pangulo,” added the senator, “We hope this also translates to a better appreciation of Filipino sign language.”

The measure seeks to declare Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language of the Filipino Deaf and the official language of the Philippine government in all transactions with the Deaf. In addition, the measure also mandates the use of FSL in schools, workplaces, and broadcast media.

In his four years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has tirelessly worked for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754, which exempts PWDs from paying value added tax (VAT), in the 16th Congress as co-author.

He also worked for the passage of Republic Act 10905 or the Closed Caption Law as co-author. It requires television networks to use the closed captioning system for news and current affairs programs and entertainment shows for the benefit of viewers with hearing impairment.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 967 requiring Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs. He also filed Senate Bill No. 1249 seeking to mandate government offices and private companies to allocate a percentage of their workforce for PWDs.

Under the bill, which seeks to amend Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, government agencies are mandated to ensure that two percent of their employees comprise of PWDs. Private organizations, for their part, will be required to employ one percent of their workforce from PWDs.

“This bill seeks to guarantee the inclusion of PWDs in the workforce and provide commensurate compensation, benefits and employment terms for PWDs as any other qualified employee,” Sen. Bam said.

BIDA KA!: Tutukan ang kapakanan ng senior citizens

Mga Bida, kamakailan ay naki­pagpulong tayo sa ilang mga grupo ng senior citizens sa bansa kung saan inilabas nila ang mga problema at hamon na kinakaharap ng kanilang sektor.

Sa nasabing pulong, sinabi ni ­Oscar Ricafuerte, secretary general ng Fe­deration of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP) na hindi ganap na natutugunan ng kasalukuyang National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) ang pangangailangan ng senior citizens.

Ayon kay Ginoong Ricafuerte, isang senior citizen lang ang miyembro ng nasabing board kaya madalas, hindi akma ang mga programang inilalatag nito para sa kanila.

Maliban pa rito, hindi rin sila nakokonsulta sa mahahalagang isyu at mga panukalang batas, tulad na lang ng Centenarians Act. 

Aniya, kung nabigyan lang sila ng pagkakataong sumali sa pagbalangkas nito, ipinanukala nila na dapat pagsapit pa lang ng 80-anyos ay binibigyan na ng cash incentive upang mapakinabangan nang husto ng mga senior citizen.

Sa isyu naman ng senior citizen’s ID, iginiit ni Ginoong Ricafuerte na dapat mabigyan ito ng seryosong pansin upang maiwasan ang pamemeke, bagay na hindi matututukan ng karaniwang board lang gaya ng NCMB.

***

Para naman kay Nanay Salve Basiano ng Pederasyon ng mga Maralitang Nakakatanda, natutuwa sila sa pagsisikap ng NCMB upang matugunan ang pangangailangan at problema ng mga nakatatanda.

Subalit para kay Nanay Salve, mas maganda kung mayroong isang komisyon na tututok sa mga totoong pangangailangan ng senior citizens sa bansa.

***

 

Tama ang puntong ito ni Nanay Salve dahil may iba’t ibang komisyon sa pamahalaan na tumututok sa partikular na sektor ng lipunan.

Para sa kabataan, mayroon tayong National Youth Commission (NYC). Pagdating naman sa kababaihan, naririyan ang National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.

Tumututok naman sa kapakanan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim ang National Commission on Muslim Filipinos habang sa katutubo naman, mayroon tayong National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Bilang isang sektor na kinabibilangan ng 7.6 milyong senior citizens, nararapat lang na may tumutok na isang komisyon, lalo pa’t inaasahang dodoble ang kanilang bilang sa 14.2 milyon pagsapit ng 2030 at 22.5 million sa 2045.

***

Kaya inihain natin ang Senate Bill No. 674 na layong lumikha ng National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) upang matiyak na protektado ang karapatan at naibibigay ang mga benepisyong nakalaan para sa ating senior citizens.

Kapag naisabatas, bubuwagin na ang NCMB at papalitan na ito ng NCSC, na ang pangunahing tungkulin ay tiyaking naipatutupad nang tama ang Republic Act 7432 o ang Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2015.

Bilang isang pambansang ahensiya, magbabalangkas ang NCSC ng mga polisiya, plano at programa para maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng senior citizen. Sila rin ang tutugon sa mga isyung nakakaapekto sa sektor.

Ang nasabing komisyon ay pamumunuan ng isang chairperson at commissioners mula sa listahang isusumite ng iba’t ibang grupo ng senior citizens. 

Magkakaroon din ito ng sangay sa iba’t ibang local government units na pamumunuan ng regional commissioners upang mabantayan ang kapakanan ng senior citizens sa mga lalawigan.

***

Kilala ang mga Pilipino bilang mapag-alaga sa ating mga matatanda. Sa panukalang ito, maipapakita natin na kung gaano kahalaga ang mga senior citizen. 

Ito’y pagkilala sa kanilang napakalaking sakripisyo at kontribusyon sa lipunan at sa pagpapalago ng ating bansa.

Elderly groups back Sen. Bam’s bill creating commission for senior citizens

Different senior citizens organizations have expressed support for the passage of Sen. Bam Aquino’s measure seeking to create a National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) to ensure that rights and privileges they are entitled to are properly given to them.

Officials and members of the different organizations met with Sen. Bam at the Senate Monday and aired their full support for the enactment of Senate Bill No. 674 into law.

 The groups include the NAPC Senior Citizens Sectoral Council, Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines (FSCAP), Confederation of Older Persons Association of the Philippines (COPAP), Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. (COSE), and Pederasyon ng Maralitang Nakakatanda (PAMANA) with DSWD, NCDA, CWC, and House Committees on Government Reorganization and on Population and Family Relations.

 As former chairman of the National Youth Commission, Sen. Bam underscored the importance of having such a commission for a specific sector of society.

“If we have one for the youth, we should definitely have one for senior citizens as acknowledgement of their contribution to the growth and progress of the country,” said Sen. Bam.

 “As they reach the twilight of their lives, it is our responsibility to take care of our seniors, and uphold their rights and privileges,” said Sen. Bam.

 According to the senator, the commission will ensure the proper implementation of Republic Act 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act of 2015, with the best interests of our country’s seniors at heart.

“As a national agency, the NCSC will formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs that promote senior rights and privileges or address issues plaguing the sector,” Sen. Bam stressed.

The bill seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board and replacing it with NCSC.

 The council will be spearheaded by a chairperson and commissioners from a list submitted by senior citizens organizations and associations.

 “Regional commissions for senior citizens will also be established in different local government units to effectively address the needs of the elderly in the provinces,” said Sen. Bam.

 

BIDA KA!: Bida ang PWDs

Mga bida, isa sa mga isinulong­ natin noong 16th Congress ay ang kapakanan ng Persons with ­Disabi­lities­ (PWDs).

Tumayo tayo bilang co-author ng Republic Act 10754 o ang batas­ na nag-aalis ng VAT sa mga may ­kapansanan.

Maliban sa pag-alis ng VAT, binibigyan din ng batas ng insentibo sa buwis ang sinumang may kamag-anak na PWDs, hanggang sa tinatawag na fourth civil degree.

***

Ngayong 17th Congress, naitalaga man tayo bilang chairman ng Committee on Education at Science and Technology, patuloy pa rin ang ating hangaring bantayan ang kapakanan ng mga kapatid nating PWDs.

Sa huling ulat ng Philippine Statistics Authority, tinatayang nasa 1.5 milyon ang PWDs sa buong bansa.

Kamakailan, naghain tayo ng Senate Bill No. 1249 na ­layong amyendahan ang Republic Act 7277 o ang Magna ­Carta for Disabled Persons upang mabigyan ng dagdag na ­trabaho ang PWDs.

Kapag naisabatas ang panukalang ito, aatasan ang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na maglaan ng dalawang porsiyento ng ­kabuuan nilang empleyado para sa PWDs.

Aatasan naman ang mga pribadong kumpanya na kunin ­mula sa PWDs ang isang porsiyento ng kanilang mga empleyado.

Ang panukalang ito ay magbibigay sa ating PWDs ng ­kabuhayan, benepisyo at trabaho tulad ng iba pang kuwalipikadong empleyado at mas malaking papel sa lipunan.

 

Bukod pa rito, lalawak pa ang kaalaman ng publiko ukol sa karapatan ng PWDs.

***

Isinumite rin natin ang Senate Bill No. 356 na nagbibigay ng Philhealth coverage sa ating PWDs.

Binuo natin ang panukala upang mabigyan ng kaukulang serbisyong pangkalusugan ang lahat ng mga nangangailangan sa lipunan, lalo na ang PWDs.

Sa pagbibigay ng Philhealth coverage sa PWDs, naniniwala­ tayo na malapit nang matupad ang hangarin nating matugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng mahihirap na Pilipino.

Sa panukala, aamyendahan ang Republic Act 7277 o ang “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability” upang maidagdag ang PWDs sa mga sakop ng Philhealth coverage.

***

May mga panukala rin tayo para sa mga kababayan nating­ may problema sa pandinig  ang Senate Bill No. 966 at ­Senate Bill No. 967.

Sa Senate Bill No. 966 o Filipino Sign Language Act, isinusulong nating maideklara ang Filipino Sign Language (FSL) ­bilang pambansang sign language ng mga kababayan nating may diperensiya sa pandinig.

Kapag naisabatas, ang FSL ay magsisilbing opisyal na ­wikang gagamitin ng pamahalaan sa lahat ng transaksyon sa mga kababayan nating may diperensiya sa pandinig. Itatakda rin ng panukala na gamitin ang FSL sa mga paaralan, trabaho at sa broadcast media.

Ang FSL din ang gagamiting opisyal na wika para sa mga kapatid nating may suliranin sa pandinig sa lahat ng public hearing at iba pang transaksyon sa mga hukuman, quasi-judicial agencies at iba pang uri ng hukuman.

Nagbago man tayo ng komite, tuloy pa rin ang ating pagtatrabaho para maisulong ang kapakanan at karapatan ng mga kapatid nating PWDs.

Senate Bill No. 1249: Amending R.A. No. 7277 or Magna Carta for Disabled Persons

This bill seeks to guarantee the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the workforce and provide commensurate compensation, benefits, and employment term s for PWDs as any other qualified employees. Through this legislation, government offices will be mandated to ensure that 2% o f their employees comprise of PWDs whereas private organizations will be required to employ a workforce, at least 1% of which is made up o f PWDs. 

 As we forge onward in building the nation better and stronger, we must take the necessary steps to ensure that we are building an inclusive society where no sector is left behind from the gains of development. 

 This bill will allow persons with disabilities more meaningful and productive participation in society. Furthermore, an increased PWD presence in all workforces aims to heighten public awareness and consideration for the rights o f PWDs.

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