MAKATI City Mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay proposed on Friday, March 7, to convert part of the local government’s cash aid into maintenance medicines for senior citizens, ensuring they have access to essential medications while allowing the remaining funds for their other needs.
Binay acknowledged that her proposal might face opposition, but she emphasized that it would ensure government assistance is used for essential needs.
“Ang aking proposal ay, although I know marami pong magrereact, di po ba nagbibigay tayo na AKAP, nagbibigay tayo ng AICS, baka po pwedeng partial, hindi naman po puro pera. Baka po pwedeng gamot po ang ibigay natin (My proposal is, although I know many will react, we provide AKAP and AICS, so maybe we can give part of it as medicine, not just cash),” the mayor said.
“At least alam po natin kung saan napupunta ang pera, kung saan ito ginagamit (At least we know where the money is going and how it’s being used),” she added.
o support her proposal, Binay pointed out that seniors’ pensions are currently being spent on maintenance medicines, making it difficult for them to afford food and other basic needs.
Ang akin lang naman po ay makapagbigay naman kahit kaunti dahil dito po napupunta ang gastos ng ating mga senior citizen sa kanilang pension (All I want is to provide at least a little, since this is where our senior citizens’ pension funds are being spent),” she explained.
Kung may pension silang natatanggap, nauubos po iyong pera nila sa pambili ng gamot (If they receive a pension, their money gets spent on buying medicines),” she continued.
She also added that providing free maintenance medicines would give immediate relief to the elderly.
If elected, Binay intends to introduce legislation to provide free maintenance medicines, unlimited and free dialysis, and chemotherapy for the elderly and poor beneficiaries. (Richielyn Canlas)
