The retirees and senior citizens of the province of Southern Leyte have organized themselves in their quest for the acquisition of benefits due them as embodied in Republic Act 9994 or Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010

RA 9994 is an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further amending Republic Act No. 7432 as amended otherwise known as “an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes”.

The organization named Leyte Del Sur Retirees and Senior Citizens Association, Inc. is led by its provincial president Fe. A. Yepes, a retired school principal in her 70’s held its “Awarding Unity Ceremonies” at the Syshore Hotel, Southern Leyte last December 10 this year attended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Eastern Visayas.

The DSWD-8 represented by Elsa Onida and Ben Calsado, Unit Head-Standard Unit and Manpower Development Officer respectively, gave the award of DSWD Registration of Certificate and the Securities and Exchange Commission Registration.

The certification from the DSWD signed by DSWD regional director Leticia Diokno and SEC registration signify the legality of the group in the representation for benefits and other activities.

The organization which is composed of smaller organizations of retirees and senior citizens from the different towns of Southern Leyte clarified that the unified group is into monitoring on the advocacy of benefits and complaints of members.

They will insure that benefits especially on the giving of the 1% of the IRA of local government units, senior citizens and the social person fund will be enjoyed by the beneficiaries while they are still able. (PIA-8)