By Komfie Manalo
They've been there and done that.
Armed with the wisdom they have accumulated over the years, the country's senior citizens have called on Congress to renew Meralco's franchise. They point out that reliable power ensures the quality of life for the sector that once nurtured and cared for the younger generations.
"Consistently providing efficient, dependable and affordable electricity services is very important for senior citizens, who are more affected by power disruptions. Renewing Meralco's franchise will help ensure that our elderly continue to benefit from stable electricity services," Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes said.
The party list said it supports the renewal of Meralco's franchise, which will help ensure stability in the power sector.
According to Ordanes, Meralco has demonstrated its commitment to deliver reliable electricity service and stable power rates which are critical to the needs of consumers, including senior citizens.
Since most elderly people no longer work and rely on their families for support, reliable power distributors like Meralco will ensure senior citizens' quality of life and that their daily needs, such as lighting, cooling, and powering medical devices, are met.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Senior Citizens, has urged the government to focus on stabilizing the power sector instead of demonizing it, which could lead to more problems.
Apart from delivering reliable electricity to homes, Meralco also supports the elderly segment of society through a special program for senior citizens.
"Recognizing the unique challenges of this sector, Meralco provides senior citizens a five percent discount to provide financial relief and to improve the quality of life for many members of the elderly population," Ordanes said.
"Renewing Meralco's franchise will ensure our senior citizens continue to receive the essential services they need and deserve," he said.