Financial aid for senior citizens’ medication maintenance proposed

COTABATO CITY — To cater the medical needs of senior citizens in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, lawmakers filed a bill to provide financial assistance for senior citizens’ prescription maintenance.

Parliament Bill No. 293 or the Financial Assistance for Senior Citizens Act, proposes the establishment of a support system to alleviate the financial burden on senior citizens by meeting the costs of their necessary maintenance medications.

The authors of the bill said that senior citizens often face challenges in managing healthcare costs, particularly expenses associated with maintenance medications.

To address this, the bill proposes monthly financial assistance to enhance the quality of life for the elderly population and promote their overall health and longevity.

“By addressing the financial barriers associated with medication costs, this act aims to contribute to an improved and healthier life for our elderly citizens,” said Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil.

The proposed measure will mandate the Bangsamoro government, through the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), to provide a monthly financial support of Php 2,000.00 to all qualified senior citizens in the region.

To qualify for the support, senior citizens must be bona fide residents of BARMM, registered under Republic Act No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010), and submit a valid prescription for maintenance medications issued by a licensed medical practitioner within the last six months.

The implementation of this act will be overseen by the MSSD, which will coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure efficient distribution of the monthly support.

The necessary appropriations for the act will be included in the budget of the MSSD in the Bangsamoro Appropriations Act of the following year.

The principal authors of the bill are MPs Amir Mawalil, Rasol Mitmug Jr., Hashemi Dilangalen, and Hamid Malik.

MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Suharto Ambolodto, Don Mustapha Loong, Baintan Ampatuan, and Rasul Ismael are co-authors of the bill. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)