ILOILO CITY — Senior citizens in this city have expressed appreciation over the move of the local government to provide them with ambulance.
Three ambulances were presented to city government employees following Monday’s regular flag-raising ceremony.
“As promised, one ambulance will be given specifically to our senior citizens. In case they have problems, they will be brought to hospitals using this ambulance,” Mayor Jose Espinosa said.
The mayor said it is up to the senior citizens to determine how the ambulance would be used.
“We will put personnel who have knowledge on geriatric care,” the mayor said.
The two other vehicles would be for use of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. All three ambulances will be equipped with radio facilities for proper communication, he added.
Elpidio Asuelo Jr., head of the Office of the Seniors Citizens Affairs (OSCA), said that with the new ambulance it would be easier for them to visit elderlies who are hospitalized, bed-ridden or incapable of moving around.
“We are fortunate enough to be given a vehicle. We have been anticipating this because Mayor cares for us,” he said.
The city government has also provided additional benefits to the elderly. This year, the city government has increased the local incentive it gives to centenarians to PHP50,000 from the previous PHP10,000.
OSCA has registered 56,918 senior citizens from 2008 until June this year. (Perla Lena/PNA)
