Abby Binay: Convert portion of cash grants to medicines for seniors
Abby Binay in her campaign sortie in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
MANILA, Philippines — Makati mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay on Sunday said she is proposing to convert part of the government’s cash aid into free maintenance medicines for senior citizens, arguing that it would better address their health needs.
Binay, in a statement, acknowledged that her proposal might draw criticism but stressed that it would ensure government aid is spent on essential needs.
“Ang aking proposal ay, although I know marami pong magrereact, di po ba nagbibigay tayo ng AKAP, nagbibigay tayo ng AICS, baka po pwedeng partial, hindi naman po puro pera. Baka po pwedeng gamot po ang ibigay natin,” Binay explained.
(My proposal, though I know many will react, is that instead of giving only cash through AKAP and AICS, perhaps a portion could be provided as medicines.)
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She pointed out that many seniors spend most of their pensions on maintenance medicines, leaving little for food and other necessities.
“Ang akin lang naman po ay makapagbigay naman kahit kaunti dahil dito po napupunta ang gastos ng ating mga senior citizen sa kanilang pension,” Binay said.
(I just want to help in some way because this is where our senior citizens’ pensions go—on medicine expenses.)
“Kung may pension silang natatanggap, nauubos po iyong pera nila sa pambili ng gamot,” the Makati mayor added.
(Even if they receive pensions, their money is mostly spent on buying medicines.)
If elected to the Senate, Binay said she would push for legislation providing free maintenance medicines, as well as “unlimited and free dialysis” and chemotherapy for senior citizens and indigent patients.
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Binay placed 10 to 12th place in the latest Social Weather Station survey conducted from February 15 to 19, 2025.
She is sharing the spot with former senator Manny Pacquiao and TV host Willie Revillame, garnering 30 percent voter preference.
