Alien seniors should get discounts too
By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
6:18 am | Monday, June 2nd, 2014
MANILA, Philippines–Living in the Philippines should be more fun for
the elderly, regardless of their nationality.
Lawmakers are pushing for the approval of a recently filed bill that
would allow elderly foreigners residing in the country to enjoy the
same senior-citizen perks as their Filipino counterparts.
Under the Philippines' Expanded Senior Citizens Act, resident
Filipinos 60 years old and over get a 20-percent discount and
exemption from the value-added tax for various goods and services,
including the purchase of medicines, doctors' and health care service
fees, medical and dental services, public transportation fares, hotel
services, funeral and burial services, and admission fees to the
theater, cinemas and concerts.
They could also get employment, education and health assistance from
the government. Commercial and government establishments are also
required to provide express lanes for senior citizens.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo
Rodriguez Jr. said the elderly foreigners residing in the Philippines
"[have] been overlooked, even if their contributions have been just as
relevant and considerable."
They noted that these foreigners come to the Philippines to put up
businesses or settle here as retirees or immigrants.
"During their stay, they bring in considerable investments, patronize
local businesses, contribute to the local economy, and in some cases
take a role in nation-building," they said.
By taking up permanent residence in the Philippines, they become as
much a part of the public as Filipino citizens, they added.
Because of this, these foreigners deserve consideration and similar
treatment in their older years, the lawmakers said.
Under their bill, elderly foreigners could avail themselves of the
senior citizen perks in the country by presenting either an ID card
issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs in the place where
they reside; a Philippine Retirement Authority identification card; an
Alien Certificate of Registration I-Card; and other documents that
establish that the resident alien is at least 60 years old and a
Philippine resident.
Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/105530/alien-seniors-should-get-discounts-too#ixzz33RkTElVB
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==============
Dr P Vyasamoorthy
President: Society for Serving Seniors
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015 Telengana
LL 040-27846631 / Mobile: 9490804278
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