Senatorial candidate and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay has proposed converting a portion of the government’s cash grants or “ayuda” to maintenance medicines to meet the health needs of senior citizens.

Binay admitted that her proposal would invite adverse reactions, but she said it would assure that government assistance will be used for an essential need.

If elected, Binay said she intends to introduce legislation to provide free maintenance medicines, unlimited and free dialysis and chemotherapy for elderly and poor beneficiaries.

“My proposal is, although I know many will react, don’t we already provide AKAP, don’t we provide AICS? Maybe it could be partial, not entirely cash. Perhaps we could give medicines instead,” Binay said.

“At least we know where the money is going and what it’s being used for,” she added.

Funds easily traced

Giving the elderly free maintenance medicines would also give them immediate relief, she said.

“My only point is to be able to provide even just a little, because this is where our senior citizens’ pensions go,” she said.

“If they receive a pension, their money gets used up buying medicine,” she added.

With their pensions used to buy maintenance medicines, Binay said senior citizens are finding it difficult to buy food and other basic needs.