A party-list lawmaker is pushing for the “Iskolar ng Bayan” program, where 30 percent of the real property tax collections of local government units (LGUs) will be used to benefit thousands of students as part of the government’s efforts to address the literacy problem.

In a lunch meeting in Pasig City, Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes said there will be a local selection committee composed of the religious sector and civil society groups, regardless of the grade of the students, which may be tackled in the implementing rules and regulations.

Ordanes clarified that the measure will also benefit thousands of senior citizens who financially support the education of their grandchildren.

He is also pushing for the increase of social pension for senior citizens from P500 to P1,000.

The Centennarian Act was passed into law in the 19th Congress which provides an incentive of P10,000 to senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90, and 95 beginning this year. All seniors were supposed to receive social pension for indigent, frail, or sickly senior citizens.

Ordanes is also pushing for the strict implementation of the 20 percent discount for senior citizens as well as the VAT discount nationwide.

He stressed that the 10 percent increase in the SSS pension will start in September this year, another 10 percent increase next year and another 10 percent on the third year.

Aside from medicines, Ordanes is also pushing for the institutionalization of 20 percent discount for groceries for senior citizens. However, only 5 percent discount is granted for goods and services for senior citizens.

Ordanes noted though that establishments violating the senior citizen discount are not penalized.