GENSAN CITY NEWS – To obtain a wide range of participation coming from the concerning sector in the review of an ordinance providing rights, benefits, and privileges for the Senior Citizens of General Santos City enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, a consultative meeting was conducted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod En Banc last April 23, 2012.

City Ordinance No. 18, series of 1990, enacted by the Sanggunian on July 10, 1990, grants upon Senior Citizens ten percent (10 %) to fifteen percent (15%) discount on total fees and charges on public and private hospitals, clinics, movie houses, circuses, amusement centers, funeral parlors, restaurants and eateries and public conveyances.

It can be remembered that after almost two (2) years from the enactment of said ordinance, or April 23, 1992, Republic Act No. 7432 or the first Senior Citizens law of the country, was passed by Congress granting twenty percent (20%) discount on the fees and charges enumerated in said ordinance. After its passage, two (2) more Republic Acts were subsequently passed by Congress that sought to expand the coverage of the rights, benefits and privileges of the elderly in the country. Clearly then, while the City of General Santos is way ahead of the Congress in recognizing the plight of senior citizens, our local version of the law was already overtaken by acts of Congress, thus, the need to harmonize our ordinance with the present existing laws.

Upon the recommendation of the Office of Senior Citizens Affair, Federation of Senior Citizens Affairs in General Santos City, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and other stakeholders, Gensan City will come up and adopt its own expanded version of senior citizen ordinance in the course of revision and supplementation of Ordinance No. 18, series of 1990.

The enhanced and harmonized version is a fusion of relevant national and local laws, implementing rules and regulations, and circulars in order for the senior citizens in the city enjoy their privileges to its fullest. The enhanced version of said ordinance will see print in one of the many chapters of the Code of Ordinances of the City of General Santos once the Codification Project of the 16th Sanggunian is completed.

article photo & source / reference: (GCT – spgensantos.ph)