TACLOBAN CITY – Amidst the pandemic in 2021, City Mayor Alfred Romualdez resumes the operations of the MASA Center, or the Mayor Alfred’s Social Action – Center to assist indigent citizens with medical and burial needs.

On Thursday (April 13), 47 indigent individuals received financial assistance for medical and burial needs and other forms of aid from the MASA Center during the People’s Day held on the ground floor of City Hall.

Grace Sudario-Gozo, MASA officer-in-charge, said that to avail of burial assistance, requirements like the death certificate, funeral contract, barangay indigency, voter’s ID or voter’s certification, and a letter addressed to Mayor Romualdez need to be complied.

Meantime, those asking for medical assistance are also likewise directed to bring with them necessary documents which include a medical certificate, laboratory result or hospital bill, barangay indigency, voter’s ID or voter’s certification, and a letter addressed to the Office of the City Mayor.

According to Gozo, medical assistance is not always provided in cash because some medications are available at the City Health Office, while indigent citizens who need financial assistance for a funeral should visit their office not later than 15 days after the death; otherwise, they will no longer recognize it.

Financial assistance provided by the MASA Center is not limited to medical and burial purposes, but also extends to education and other needs, she added.

Meanwhile, Gozo clarified that each member of a household is eligible to receive financial assistance of up to P5,000 in cash, which can be availed once every six months, in order to fulfill their objective of “sharing the sunshine” and providing equal assistance for all.
DEAN MARK YU, LNU Student Intern)

ORAS, Eastern Samar-House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group said that there should be a debate on Charter Change so the entire Filipino people would be enlightened on the issue.

Libanan, who was interviewed during a ground-breaking of a farm-to-market road connecting eight remote villages of this town on Tuesday (April 11), made this call amid opposition by most of the senators and other sectors to tinker with the 1987 Constitution.
The party-list solon who is from Eastern Samar said that it is not correct to say, that this early, the move to amend the Constitution is ‘dead’ considering that 348 strong members of the House of Representatives have approved a resolution calling such a move.

He then made a call that a debate should be done so all issues regarding the move would be discussed and in the process, the entire Filipino people would be enlightened about it.
“The biggest mandate shall come from the people, directly. Meaning, I would encourage debate throughout the country so that when all the issues are out, the people…will favor to amend the Constitution or not” he said.

Earlier, the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for a constitutional convention for the amendment or revision of the 36-year old Constitution.
Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., said in a previous interview that Charter change is ‘dead on arrival’ on the Senate saying most of the senators are opposed to it.

She said that there are more pressing matters that needs to be addressed right away by the country’s leaders such as inflation, job creation, and improving the economy than amending the Constitution.

But Libanan said that this is just the sentiments of the senators and ‘other voices’ should be heard on this regard.

“We shall also hear the voices of others because the report to us is that people all over the country are very much interested in amending the Constitution,” he said.

He insisted that after almost three decades in operation, the Constitution needs to be amended or ‘revisited’ to make it more responsive to the needs of the current situation.
The House leader said that he was one of those who supported the approval of the 1987 Constitution when he was still a student leader because it addresses the ‘needs of that time.’

Libanan said that since then, many have changed which he said the Constitution needs to address ‘to respond the global set-up.’

This includes allowing foreigners to own properties in the country and help the country to become more attractive to foreign investors.

Asked if he is in favor to alter the current term of office of elected officials like congressmen, Libanan said that is in favor to it.

He said that the terms of office for congressmen and senators as fixed under the Constitution is ‘unfair.’

For one, congressmen have a term of three years in office with two terms for reelection or a total of nine years.

In contrast, senators have six-year in office and another term for reelection or a 12-year term.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has approved the release of a total of P42,931,355,000 to cover one-year health insurance premiums of senior citizens nationwide.

The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and its corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) were approved by the Budget Secretary on 04 April 2023.
A total of 8,586,271 enrolled senior citizens are expected to benefit from the allotment.

“From the start, the directive of President Bongbong Marcos has been very clear—- this government must ensure that our senior citizens have the support and resources they need to thrive,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

“Our elderly will always remain vital members of our society who have spent many of their productive years not only in improving the lives of their family members but also in contributing to their communities. Dapat lamang na patuloy nating tulungan ang ating mga lolo at mga lola na manatiling malakas at malusog,” Secretary Pangandaman added.

Under the FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), P79,002,185,000 is allocated to cover the payment of health insurance premiums of indirect contributors, including seniors.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10645, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, all senior citizens shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of PhilHealth.

Funds necessary to ensure the enrollment of all senior citizens not currently covered by any existing category shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth from proceeds of Republic Act No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Law. (PR)