Legislations for enhanced benefits for senior citizens, particularly the estimated four million indigent elderly, have achieved significant discount increases for seniors, especially on medicine purchases.

This was the highlight of the nine-year term of Albay Second District Representative Joey Salceda, who chaired a joint committee last year comprising the House Ways and Means, Senior Citizens, and Persons with Disabilities panels.

"We managed to secure a commitment from PhilHealth for an easier registration system and free coverage of SCs under the Universal Health Care law, and a higher increase in benefits for top causes of death compared to average increase for all other benefits," Salceda said.

He cited that benefits for diseases disproportionately affecting seniors -- ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, acute stroke, cancer, and diabetes -- saw substantially higher increases than the average 30 to 50 percent increase for other case rates.

Salceda also clarified that senior citizen discounts are applied before PhilHealth benefits, leading to an additional 5 to 20 percent savings, depending on the deduction amount.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has committed to providing dedicated training programs for seniors through a memorandum of agreement with the National Commission on Senior Citizens. The Department of Labor and Employment will also allow seniors to participate in the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) program, provided they are fit to work.

Senior citizens now enjoy increased discounts on basic goods, from P260 to P500 per month. These discounts are applied on top of promotional rates, which were previously considered substitutes.

Other benefits secured include the removal of the booklet requirement for medicine discounts, simplified application processes, and free parking in major malls and establishments.