My friends and colleagues, the elderly, especially the indigent ones, did not want either any inspirational message or a homily, they need assurance, hope, and concrete answers to address their basic needs.
All of us shall grow old and older but are we prepared for a new life referred to some as elderly-hood, the stage after adulthood. The stage where older persons generally cannot earn a living and have lost their savings, if there are or if there were, and where the world is less friendly and kind. This is the stage where they often shatter at the thought of where to find sources to pay their bills, house rental, electricity, water, and payment of never-ending debts.
We must remember that the elderly once help a nation-building although they could still be productive when there are chances and opportunities. They had their children educated, nurtured, gained skills and knowledge and wisdom, and got them protected from the evils brought about by the ever-changing modern world.
We owe them, thus it is most appropriate, just kind and benevolent to take care of their needs. We will not be here without them, they are our treasures, the ancestors of a nation whose wisdom and examples are in the truest form.
We need to protect them from serious poverty by coming out with better social pension programs.
The problems of Filipino senior citizens are common and universal specifically on the social security and social pension programs. They should be seriously taken into consideration by the government, with the Non-Government Organizations, civic organizations, and civic society.
Borrowing from the data of COSE 2020, Filipinos over the age of 60 accounts for more than 9 million and this will be tripled in 2032. It is foreseen that if we do not establish programs that really address the needs of the elderly, especially the indigent ones, this will certainly pose significant consequences now and in the future.
I believe the older persons do not ask for more, but assistance that is adequate enough to sustain elderly-hood.
Let us be reminded that they are at the bottom of the socio-economic strata and the older women in most cases face these harsh realities because they take care of their children and family, an activity that puts them in a disadvantaged position when older.
Distinguish guests, friends, and colleagues, on this 7th of October online forum, it is hoped that better comprehensible plans and programs for the social pension and Universal Pension will be finally drafted and get implemented in all honesty.
On behalf of the National Commission of Senior Citizens, we are one with you in this call.
May good health and protection for all older persons be granted by the Almighty God.
Mabuhay tayong lahat!
DR. IDA YAP-PATRON Commissioner National Commission of Senior Citizens
PROTECT OLDER PERSONS, IMPROVE SOCIAL PENSION
A policy discussion on expanding the social pension program
October 7, 2020