In a press conference dubbed as “Meet the Press,” held Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the Formosa Tea House in Tacloban City, DSWD Field Office Eight Director Leticia Corillo answered varied issues surrounding a new law – Republic Act (RA) 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 – An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens.

Press people, mostly from the print media, were enlightened after said gathering,  like the importance of having an identification card for senior citizens, which is being issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs in the municipality or city where the elderly person resides.

“This is vital if only to establish that the person is really sixty years old and above. Then, the I.D. becomes a big help for senior citizens in availing certain benefits and privileges, “ Corillo emphasized.

However, one mediaman reported that some local government units do not grant the I.D. to those senior citizens who are not of the same political color as theirs, to which the DSWD Eight Director reacted negatively.

“No, this is the right of every citizen ! Corillo pointed out.  “Otherwise, this is contrary to the intentions of the law at recognizing the rights of every senior citizen to take their rightful place in society and making them a concern of family, community, and government, as well as giving the elderly full support to the improvement of their total well-being,” she further said.

It also came out in the press conference that in one of the barangays in Tacloban City, it has become a requirement for older persons, too, to undertake first in some cleanliness activities in the community before the barangay issues a barangay clearance and senior citizen’s I.D.  Though the means was purposive, as senior citizens are given recognition of their participation to nation-building, the law, however, does not state that anything can be made as a prerequisite.

On the other hand, one participant questioned why an elderly cannot avail of discount and other privileges like VAT (Value Added Tax) exemption in boarding houses.  Corillo said such facility usually caters to students and working adults, and that RA 9994 only specifies hotels and similar lodging establishments like pension houses which are “engaged in catering, leasing or providing facilities to transients, tourists or travelers, duly licensed with business permit and/or franchised by the national government agencies or local government units.”

To clear out issues, the DSWD regional chief said her office will strengthen its advocacy in order to be able to fully disseminate the law.  Consultation meetings with business establishments will also be conducted this year.