RP has 3 DSWD centers for elderly, 7 million senior citizens

MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino way is for children to look after their parents when they can no longer take care of themselves. But not all elderly Filipinos are so lucky.

Hundreds of them, perhaps more, have been abandoned by their children when they reached the twilight age of sickness, weakness, and dependence.

For some of them, local governments intervene and turn them over to state-run elderly centers to survive. Others are no longer heard of.

Based on data gathered in 2007 by the National Statistics Office (NSO), there were 5.8 million senior citizens or 6.5 percent of the 88.57 million Filipinos in the country.

Since then, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky”J. Soliman cited estimates that the elderly further grew in number to about 7 million this year.

Of this population, only 356 individuals are being served by state-run elderly centers located in Rizal province, Zamboanga City, and Dipolog City as of the second quarter of 2010.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that in 2009, DSWD centers for the elderly catered to 516.

The data does not include older persons being served in private centers.

DSWD Social Welfare Officer III Joanna Hizon said the DSWD homes for the aged cater to senior citizens aged 60 and above, who are either neglected or abandoned by their families.

Hizon explained that elderly people in the DSWD-run centers or institutions were referred to them by the local government units (LGUs) concerned.

“We do not accept in the centers older persons who are referred by their own families for payment. DSWD takes care of elderly individuals who are either neglected or have no families free of charge. They are mostly referred to us by the LGUs,” Hizon pointed out.

There are three government-led centers established nationwide, namely; Golden Acres: Haven for Elderly located in Tanay, Rizal (Region 4A); Home for Elderly in Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City (Region 9); and Home for the Aged in Tagum City, Davao del Norte (Region 11).

Since the three establishments started to operate, at least 27,300 older persons have been served.

Likewise, in the first quarter of 2010, 41 older individuals have been served in other DSWD non-senior citizens’ center.

Hizon explained that these are the elderly who might be staying in other specialized DSWD centers such as the Sanctuary Center for recovered mentally challenged women, Jose Fabella Center for families with an elderly member living along the streets, or the Elsie Gaches Village for the mentally challenged.

In 2009, 7,970 senior citizens were provided services through community-based programs.

She noted that the number of senior citizens is steadily increasing due to low mortality rates brought about by the development of the country’s medical healthcare.

DSWD said addressing the concerns and ensuring the welfare of the older persons’ sector is a challenge that the Philippine government has very well responded to.

The passage of Republic Act (RA) 9994, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, and RA 7876, the Senior Citizens Center Act of 1995 are considered landmark legislation, which uphold the rights and promote the welfare of older persons.

Likewise, RA 9336 which allocates one percent of the total budget of government agencies for the implementation of programs and services for senior citizens complements Republic Acts 9994 and 7876.

The older persons also played an important role in nation-building through volunteerism, monitoring and participation in governance.

In 2009, there were 729 organized Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) headed by a senior citizen.

The OSCA plans, implements, and monitors yearly work programs for senior citizens. It is established under the Office of the Mayor. –ELLALYN B. DE VERA, Manila Bulletin