By Emmanuel Canto
I came across an article about the perks given by the Belgian government to its senior citizens when they reach the age of 65.
In Belgium, I believe the age of a person to be considered a pensioner is 65. Here in the Philippines, that is a mandatory retirement age. But when you reach 60 years old, you are already considered a pensioner, and you can avail optional retirement.
In Belgium, when a person turns 65, the government will inform its citizens through a letter. No requirements needed, no more drama, no padrino system, no long lines, and no more inquiry about the process — just a quiet letter, a simple message from the pensions department.
That’s all. Period.
Simple, no hassle, purely government service in the real sense. The government is very grateful to their senior citizens.
The message is simple: “You have become a pensioner.” “Please send us your bank account number to receive your monthly pension.”
And if you’re confused or need help? “Call this number to schedule an appointment.”
This is really a very commendable system of the Belgian government. An appropriate question for our government — Can you do the same? There must be no need to register senior citizens’ organizations that are sometimes being used by politicians as a political tool during election time.
In Belgium, there is no begging, no humiliation, and no need for proof of life to be submitted every few months because, in that country, retirement does not mean being forgotten; it means being protected.
Here are the important benefits of pensioners in Belgium: When a citizen reaches old age, the state steps in like a responsible guardian — reduced rent for housing; monthly financial support for shelter; social security access at a symbolic cost; discounts on electricity and public transport; almost free healthcare; and “semi”-free dental care (so important, as if neglecting your teeth for a year is fine, because prevention matters).
The government believes dignity is a policy, not charity.
The essence is that in Belgium, public funds are not stolen, and no graft and corruption issues are ever committed by their government. Their officials do not treat the government as a personal ATM. It is embedded in the minds of their leaders that they are servants and not masters and their citizens are not slaves. They ensure there is enough for everyone.
I’m pretty sure we can do it here sans graft and corruption. However, our government has a bunch of graft and corruption issues.
On the contrary, there is a great disparity here in our country. We are rich in culture, labor and natural resources, yet millions of senior citizens grow old in fear and don’t have enough support from the government, particularly health care.
The fear of having no funds for hospital bills if they get sick is apparent. The coverage of PhilHealth is so small and our crowded government hospitals make health care miserable, not only for senior citizens, but for all Filipinos.
As a fact, most senior citizens are considered to be a burden to their children. The majority of them die poor after a lifetime of hard work.
All of these inequalities are attributed to graft and corruption issues; people’s money went to the wrong pockets.
The very cause is that corruption rots institutions from the inside. Some officials choose luxury, power and dynasties over service. The tragedy is not poverty. It is betrayal.
Belgium proves a simple truth the world already knows but rarely practices: Good governance is not about wealth. It is about integrity. When leaders do not steal, citizens do not suffer. When honesty becomes the norm, dignity becomes guaranteed. Old age should be a time of rest and not survival.
And no Filipino deserves less./WDJ