Bong Revilla wants to lower senior citizen age to 56

Senior citizen at age 56?

For Senator Bong Revilla, lowering the age to achieve a senior citizen status at 56 from the current 60 years old will give the country's elderly more years to enjoy the perks of being an elderly.

“Ang life expectancy ng mga Pilipino ay 72 years old lang. So ibig sabihin, hindi ganon tumatanda kaya at the age of 56, pag naipasa natin ang bill na ito mapapakinabangan na nila ang discount na 20%,” Revilla said on Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras."

Besides the 20% discount at all establishments, including transportation, there are free medical and dental services at government facilities in all parts of the country.

"Karamihan singkwenta namamatay na eh ‘di na umaaabot ng 60, kaya pabor ako,” Tatay Francisco said.

Revilla said lowering the senior age may have an impact on business side.

“Gayunpaman mapag-uusapan natin kung paano natin magagawan ng paraan doon win-win, para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

Lawyer Romeo Macalintal, a senior citizen rights activist, shared that many businessmen are complaining about the amount of senior citizen discount.

"To lower it to 56, wala akong nakikita na magandang dahilan except siguro sa political deal na baka maka-enganyo ng maraming mamamayan natin para suportahan ang isang politiko yung ang nakikita ko dyan. Sapat na yung 60 years old, maging fair naman tayo sa lahat,” he said. 

According to the United Nations (UN), 60 years old can be considered old to become a senior citizen. When the bill is enacted, the 56-year-old Filipino senior citizen will be the youngest senior in the world.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News