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Bill seeks priority service for elderly, disabled, veterans
A bill introduced Tuesday last week would prioritize the elderly, the disabled, and military veterans in service lines.
Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) introduced during Tuesday’s House session a bill that seeks to grant priority service to individuals who are over 55 years old; those who are physically impaired; and retired military veterans.
“We value our people and we owe it to them [to grant them] much needed relief, especially if they come in to dispute a billing or to settle unwarranted discrepancies that are through no fault of their own. …More important is the satisfaction of customers that our government prioritizes these folks,” Deleon Guerrero told Saipan Tribune.
The bill would allow these select categories of customers to move to the front of lines—such as customer service lines and remittance of payments—on a first come-first serve basis.
The exemptions to this bill, however, are protocols for medical treatments to patients.
“I have witnessed customers in line taking more than 20 minutes to be served. Service providers do not know the condition of our valued customers, so it is imperative that we set policies,” added Deleon Guerrero.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, which is chaired by Rep. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan). (Erwin Encinares)
