Senior citizens question DOH policy on 20% discount in private hospitals

CEBU, Philippines - Senior citizens in the city are questioning the policy of the Department of the Health that only those confined in “small rooms” of private hospitals can be granted the 20 percent discount afforded to the elderly.

Chapter V, paragraph 3 (a) of Administrative Order No. 177, provides that senior citizens may avail of the 20 percent discount in private health facilities if they use the “smallest available rooms.”

The Administrative Order, however, states the 20 percent discount may be availed of when staying in a bigger room if there is no available “smallest room” and board accommodation at the time of confinement at the hospital.

But Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, chairman of the City Council committee on social services, said health officials should explain the provision because senior citizens may still avail of the 20 percent discount when staying in hotels at whatever accommodation, whether ordinary room, deluxe, or suite.

“It seems that there is a taint of unfairness and very awkward in treating senior citizens differently in private health facilities as compared to hotels as far as giving of the 20 percent discounts in room accommodations,” Abellanosa said.

Abellanosa said Republic Act 9257, the law that grants additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, clearly provides that they are entitled to a 20 percent discount in the use and utilization of goods and services.

The City Council recently approved Abellanosa’s resolution asking DOH officials to provide the Council a written rationale of the questioned provision in the administrative order.

The Council also asked DOH to review the provisions of the order and, if possible, to provide immediate necessary amendments to “put the real meaning and spirit of the law.”

Abellanosa said RA 9257 “helps boost the morale of our elders who badly need the government’s special care and attention especially in their twilight years.”

Meanwhile, over a thousand senior citizens braved the heat to the City Hall to claim the P2,000 financial assistance from the city government. Many arrived as early as 6am.

The City Treasurer’s Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Services put up tents at the Plaza Sugbo for the distribution of the cash assistance.

The distribution that followed did not arrive smooth, however, as many complained of lack of proper distribution system.

An elderly from barangay Santo Niño also complained because she reportedly wanted to claim the P2,000, which she said was announced to be on top of the P2,000 she received last May. 

But Assistant City Treasurer Emma Villarete later clarified that the announcement posted in the barangays only said yesterday’s distribution was for those who have not availed of the P2,000 last May because of certain irregularities like discrepancy in names, double registration and other technical details.

Villarete said only around P1,000 senior citizens were able to receive the initial P2,000 while the next P2,000 is still to be appropriated.

Opposition leader Jonathan Guardo also commented on the statement of Mayor Tomas Osmeña that Guardo would cancel the financial assistance to senior citizens should he win a seat in the city government.

Guardo said he would still continue the program but will implement major differences.

“First I will double it from P4,000 to P8,000, but in my program, walay pilion, tanan makadawat, pero way labot ang taga Cordova,” Guardo said.

He said even senior citizens that are not registered voters may avail of the financial aid. — Rene U. Borromeo and Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)