“Fake news!”
That is how Rolleo “Bong” Ignacio, 2nd nominee of the United Senior Citizens Party-list described the disinformation launched against them by certain elements who want to promote their own misguided agenda.
In an interview during the Pandesl Forum in Kamuning, Quezon City yesterday, Ignacio said there are certain groups that want to discredit the United Senior Citizens Party-list claiming it has been disqualified and mislead the people from supporting them this coming elections.
This came after recently-conducted surveys showed the strong performance of the party-list as, securing a spot in the top 20 contenders.
“We are somehow expecting this kind of schemes from others who are desperate for high rankings but just the same we want to appeal to our people to dismiss these dirty tactics from these desperate groups,” Ignacio explained.
In the April 19-21 survey of the Publicus Asia, the United Senior Citizens is among the 12 party-list tht reached the 2 percent minimum threshold needed to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
United Senior Citizens Party-list is a newcomer but has been very well-accepted by the electorate because of the agenda and programs it seeks to champion.
Among those are the passing of a universal pension plan that is seen to elevate quality of lives not just of the older people but their families as well.
He cited that for decades, there have been major gaps and significant disservice in the health status of the senior citizens that remains unaddressed up to this point.
Poverty seems to have been highly prevalent among most senior citizens. Records show about 49% assessed their family’s economic status as ‘poor’ whilst they were growing up.
More than half of older Filipinos appear to be experiencing economic difficulty as gauged from their self-assessed income sufficiency, with 43% reporting some difficulty in meeting household expenses and 14% considerable difficulty.
The group stressed the necessity for all citizens and institutions to work together to protect older people not just from the virus, but from discriminations, neglect and abuse.
The party list also emphasized that the next president has the duty to ensure their needs such as food, medicines, and interventions are duly met.
At the same time, the USC acknowledges the existing policies and program initiatives that are in placed now. However, Ignacio believes these polices or benefits should continuously be expanded and enhanced to uphold the wellbeing of the senior citizens.
Among the benefits for seniors USC wants to expand include travel expenses discounts, dialysis, hospitalization, dining, and shopping discounts among others.
These are just some of the basic benefits we want to offer to older people, we want to legislate laws that will not only ease them of their burdens but improve their lives including their loved ones as well.
“We want to build health centers all over country that will take care of our seniors in many ways possible,” Ignacio added.
As the country is expected to categorized as an aging population few years from now, Ignacio believes that its high time the government enhances its programs for the seniors that will ensure their safety, protection, welfare, and economics.
“Again we would like to reiterate, we are no. 11 in the ballot, we are duly recognized and authorized under our electoral system to represent our elders, lolos and lolas, and we promise to take care of them, thank you,” Ignacio exclaimed.