Manila, Malabon seniors may soon enjoy more perks

Senior citizens in the cities of Manila and Malabon have something to look forward to in their city councils.

In Manila, there’s a proposed ordinance exempting registered senior citizens from the color coding scheme and from parking fees in all establishments in the city.

City Hall on Wednesday said it expects the ordinance to be passed soon. “We must reward our elderly and this ordinance shall further give the enjoyment in their twilight years,” Mayor Joseph Estrada said in a statement.

“The council and I have agreed that the elderly, who are 60 years old and above, be exempted from parking charges and the color coding scheme,” Estrada said. “Our senior citizens have contributed to our society during the prime of their lives. They have sacrificed much so that we may now enjoy the fruits of their labors.”

In a related project, the city would soon also launch a program giving recognition to “Lolo or Lola Achievers,” or grandparents who have made significant contributions to the city.

In Malabon, a draft measure expands the privileges enjoyed by senior citizens, such as 20-percent discount and exemption from value-added tax on various services.

If passed, the ordinance will grant them free movie admission once a week in cinemas across the city, and free parking in both public and private establishments for the first three hours.

It will also require business owners to designate special lanes and payment counters for senior citizens as well as entitle them to a gift during their birthday month.

Senior citizens can avail themselves of these benefits upon presentation of their identification card or K-Card, a customized ID created for citizens of Malabon.

Authored by Councilor Jose Lorenzo Oreta, the ordinance “recognizes their vital role in the community and secure their continued involvement as integral members of society.”

Similar measures granting senior citizens special benefits have been created in other local government units like Makati and Quezon City.

As of December 2017, there are currently 33,000 registered senior citizens in the city, according to the city’s Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs. —AIE BALAGTAS SEE, KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING