“Usa kini ka kadaugan alang sa atuang mga minahal nga Bol-anon nga senior citizens.” This was what Vice Gov. Rene Lopez Relampagos said after his proposed ordinance, the Buhat Pasultihon Free Medical Assistance Program for Boholano Senior Citizens, was approved on 2nd reading during Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) regular sessuon on Oct. 26, 20221.
Prior to the said session, the SP convened on Oct. 21, 2021 for a Committee on the Whole meeting. Its sole agenda was to tackle Relampagos’ proposed ordinance. The vice governor spearheaded the discussion of his proposed ordinance.
Joining the committee were the following resource persons: Atty. Nilo Ahat, Provincial Legal Office and Acting Provincial Administrator; Atty. John Titus Vistal of the Provincial Planning and Development Office; Peter Ross Retutal, Provincial Budget Officer; Eustaquio Socorin, Provincial Treasurer; Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, officer in charge of the Provincial Health Office; Carmelita Tecson, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer; Alvaro Gujol, President of the Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens in Bohol and National Vice President together with his Provincial Vice President, Leopoldo Garma.
Ar the onset of the discussion, Lopez affirmed that diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension are among the top ailments that the elderly usually suffer. As such, free oral medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis would greatly help senior citizens not only maintain their health but also help alleviate financial burdens on them and their families.
Free multivitamins may also be provided if the budget allows.
At the end of the committee meeting, it was moved to submit the committee version for the second reading and was subsequently presented to the SP on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.
Second District Board Member, Restituto Auxtero, presented the proposed ordinance during the committee report of the Committee of the Whole which Relampagos heads.
The Buhat Pasultihon Free Medical Assistance Program for Senior Citizens is considered to be one of the Provincial Government’s priority social service projects for the calendar year 2022. According to Relampagos, the project has already been earmarked with a budget of P100 million.
On behalf of all senior citizens in the province, Gujol expressed his gratitude to the Provincial Government for its continuous effort to take care of the senior citizens.
“Dakong kalipay na among nabati ang tinuoray na gugma sa atong mga opisyales sa probinsya sa Bohol alang sa mga senior citizens.”
Relampagos stressed that this initiative is not just a mere plan but a project the august body wishes to leave as one of the legacies of their legacies.
“Dili ni saad, gibuhat jud ni nato. This benefits all Boholano families, and this is a legacy that we want all Boholanos to enjoy in the years to come,” he said.