PIA Press Release
Tuesday, January 31, 2012Capiz elderly to avail immunizationby Jemin B. GuillermoROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 31 (PIA6) -- More than 1,000 indigent senior citizens in Capiz will avail of free immunization from the government. Information Officer Joeffry Espiritu of the Capiz Provincial Health Office disclosed that the 1,318 indigent senior citizens who were identified under the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) will start receiving their pneumococcal and influenza immunization starting this February. He said that the medicines, courtesy of the Department of Health (DOH), are already available. Espiritu stressed that the immunization of the target beneficiaries will be done in coordination with the different local government units, particularly the health and social welfare and development offices and Office of the Senior Citizens Affair. The free vaccination against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease is one of the benefits to be afforded by the government to the indigent senior citizens under Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. Other privileges and benefits under said law include the monthly stipend, the 20 percent discount and exemption from the Value Added Tax on the sale of goods and services, mandatory PhilHealth coverage and five percent discount on water and electric bills, among others. The 1,318 indigent senior citizens here are also the recipient of the P500 monthly social pension of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The institution of different health and social services initiatives especially for the poor is highlighted in the 2011 to 2016 Philippine Development Plan which is geared towards ensuring an enabling policy environment for inclusive growth, poverty reduction, convergence of service delivery, maximized synergies and active multi stakeholder participation. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz) | 
