THE House Committee on Senior Citizens on Wednesday deliberated on several proposed measures seeking to expand benefits, improve healthcare access, and strengthen legal protection for elderly Filipinos, including the establishment of more elderly care facilities and public nursing homes nationwide.
“The laws we craft today will help shape a future where senior citizens are not marginalized or forgotten. We must give birth to a future generation where our Filipino ‘lolos and lolas’ are respected, protected, and empowered,” Committee chairperson and United Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay said during the meeting.
She stressed that the proposed measures seek to uphold the dignity, inclusion, protection, and human rights of the elderly, while ensuring that acts of abuse and neglect are properly addressed and penalized under the law. The bills also seek to establish additional facilities and services for senior citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable, abandoned, homeless, or in need of specialized care.
The measures discussed were House Bills 1976, 8486, 8596, 2321, 8897, 39, 148, 281, 1229, 2607, 5187, 6549, 7013, and 7310.
Taguig-Pateros Rep. Ricardo Cruz Jr., author of HBs 1976 and 8486, emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s elder care system as many senior citizens continue to suffer from neglect, abandonment, and lack of access to healthcare and social support services.
His bills seek to establish elderly centers and public nursing homes in every city and municipality to promote active aging, provide shelter, and long-term care for vulnerable senior citizens.
“Ang dalawang panukalang batas na ito ay magkaugnay. One focuses on active and healthy aging through community-based centers for the elderly, while the other provides protection and shelter for those who are abandoned, homeless, and in need of long-term care,” he explained.
Other measures discussed aimed at expanding senior citizens’ privileges and benefits, and providing additional financial relief through increased discounts and utility-related benefits.
HB 5187, filed by Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, proposes a graduated discount system for senior citizens to provide more assistance to aging Filipinos who have greater financial and healthcare needs.
Under the bill, senior citizens aged 60 to 69 would continue to receive the existing 20 percent discount, while those aged 70 to 79 would be entitled to a 25 percent discount. Senior citizens aged 80 to 89 would receive a 30 percent discount, while those aged 90 and above would be granted a 35 percent discount.
“This proposal recognizes a simple but important reality that the older our senior citizens become, the greater assistance they require from the state and from society,” he said.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Santos cited his agency’s recommended safeguards to ensure the proper management, sustainability, and effective implementation of elderly care facilities and expanded benefits.
He also emphasized the need for stronger recovery and reintegration programs for elderly abuse victims, as well as consultations with stakeholders on the impact of additional privileges for senior citizens.
Aquino-Magsaysay said the committee would continue receiving additional comments and suggestions from resource persons to facilitate the consolidation of the proposed measures.
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