Raise Coalition Continues Its Health Advocacy Among Senior Citizens in Las Piñas City

October 10,2023 Las Pinas City - As the onset of the rainy season comes, so does the threat of contracting the influenza virus1. With influenza ranking as one of the top causes of mortality among senior citizens, various government agencies, medical groups, and civil society organizations have joined forces in bringing the Raising Awareness on Influenza to Support Elderlies (RAISE) Coalition to Las Piñas after the recent celebration of Elderly Filipino Week. The city believes that the foundation of good governance is through healthy citizenry and is proudly joining the RAISE Coalition in calling for the revision of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act to provide more free flu vaccinations for all senior citizens in the country.

The event kicked off by providing free flu vaccines and other health services to 730 senior citizens. Mayor Imelda Aguilar of Las Piñas emphasized the city’s commitment to providing free safe vaccines for her constituents, “Makakasigurado kayo na ligtas at libre ang mga bakuna na makukuha niyo.”

 Dr. Lulu Bravo, RAISE co-convenor and PFV Executive Director also noted the need to provide these free vaccinations for all seniors, “Matagal na ang expanded senior citizens act, pero ngayon may bagong pamamanhik na dapat hindi tayo namimili lang kung sino ang mabibigyan ng libreng bakuna. Dapat pantay pantay na lahat ng matatanda ay mabibigyan ng libreng bakuna.”

In a video message, DOH Secretary Dr. Ted Herbosa showed his support for the RAISE Coalition, saying, “Flu vaccination is not just a medical practice, it’s an act of solidarity, compassion, and responsibility toward our community members, especially the most vulnerable among us.”

Dr. Juliana Gonzales, City Health Officer of Las Piñas City noted the additional complications that senior citizens are vulnerable to when getting sick, “Ang trangkaso sa mga bata ay iba sa trangkaso sa matanda, nagkakaroon ng iba't ibang komplikasyon ang mga matatanda kaya target po namin sa october ay lahat ng barangay ay mabibigyan ng flu vaccines.”

Other leaders from Las Piñas were also present to support the event. Hon. Filemon Aguilar III, Health Committee Chair from Las Pinas City Council added, “Sa tulong po ng lahat, malabanan natin ang influenza virus. Ang importante ngayon ay prevention talaga laban sa iba't ibang sakit.”  Meanwhile, Dr. Esther Oliveros, Head of the Las Piñas Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs echoed, “We have a federation of senior citizens para alamin kung ilan ang mga seniors sa bawat district at ano sa mga serbisyo na binibigay natin ang nararating.”

With the successful programs of the RAISE Coalition this Elderly Filipino Week, its vision extends even further. The coalition will be working with more LGUs and legislative champions this year, striving for a truly universal healthcare system that provides health services to all citizens at no cost. This collaborative endeavor underscores the unwavering commitment to ensure a healthier and more secure future for senior citizens.

1 Yale School of Medicine. Why flu is deadly among the elderly. Available at

https://medicine.yale.edu/news/medicineatyale/article/why-flu-is-deadly-among-the-elderly/. Accessed on October 3, 2023.