Senior citizens slam unequal distribution of pension

Several members of the Senior Citizen Task Force on Monday staged a protest rally against the alleged "unequal distribution" of pension at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Waving a banner reading "Duterte, the People's President, tunay na pagbabago," the group called attention to the plight of senior citizens during President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

"Yung ibang senior citizens...have not met the benefits. Hindi pantay-pantay. May age, may brackets," said Norma Magdela, 64.

One of their members, 79-year-old Pacifico Yap, angrily claimed that he never received his pension.

"Sabi nila may pension ang senior citizen, 79 na ako, bakit wala pa? Wala akong natanggap kahit anong pera," he said.

When he brought it up with authorities, they told him that he might be able to receive P1,400 a month.

"Sabi nila kahit na ako ay may pension, maliit lang, P1,400. Kulang pa, pambayad ng tubig, ilaw, pagkain. Wala akong matira. May pamilya ako, mahirap din," Yap said.

The group also explained that retired teachers were unable to avail pensions because they were allotted their own pensions and benefits.

However, the amount they receive is not enough to pay for their needs.

Magdela is holding Duterte to his promise to allow retired teachers such as herself to avail of a pension on top of their regular benefits.

"Sabi niya, aside from retired teachers' monthly pension, you will be receiving [pension]," she said.

"Sana maglusong ng bill...hindi lang increase, pero maka-avail. Mabigyan sana yung monthly pension, yung iba nakakatanggap, yung iba hindi," she added.

Magdela and her fellow senior citizens are confident that Duterte has the empathy to help their sector.

"Alam po naming may pusong maka-mahirap ang ating Presidente ngayon," they said.

"Nagpapasalamat kami dahil nandiyan na siya, mabigyan namang pansin kaming senior citizens," they added.

Peaceful protest

The Senior Citizen Task Force was also thankful for the peaceful protest, saying that this is the most peaceful rally they attended.

Some members of the group have been protesting during the annual SONA since Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada's presidency in 1998.

"Natutuwa na naka-abot kami dito," Yap said, referring to the Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP) Road, located close to the Batasang Pambansa Complex where Duterte's first SONA took place.

Yap revealed that they were beaten up during past rallies, especially during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

"Sanay kaming nasasaktan nung panahon ni Gloria...pero sympre tuloy pa rin," he said. — BAP, GMA News