FILE PHOTO: Senior Citizens (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) wants to uphold respect for senior citizens and prove that they are not liabilities but valuable talents in the country’s workforce.
Thus, the agency is pushing for part time jobs for the country’s elderly sector to help them earn extra income for their personal needs.
Such is the case of Laura Bagan who has been struggling to support her medications especially with the rising prices of maintenance drugs nowadays.
“Sa gamot po sa highblood ko, saka sa ubo, ngayon tumaas na,” she said.
“Nakita namin sa pag-aaral na kapag more than 60 years old ka, ang laki ng deficit mo. Pambayad sa gamot, pambayad sa operasyon o kung kailangan mong ma-ospital maaaring kulang pa ang health insurance para doon. So, magandang may part time ang senior citizens,” explained POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III.
The agency added that encouraging the elderly to work will also help them improve their health conditions as they can have a sort of exercise while doing a part time job.
“Maraming study na nagpapakita na ang nag-retire na talagang nag-retire (at) wala nang ginawa ay mas maaagang namamatay,” Perez noted.
Danny Mariano, the president of a group of senior citizen in Barangay San Bartolome in Quezon City supports the proposal.
“Kailangan po ng seniors, gumagalaw kasi hindi naman po pwede na ang senior ay nakahiga na lang, nagaantay na lamang ng kanilang mga biyaya. Kundi ang dapat din sa mga senior kumikilos pa rin,” Mariano said.
Aside from the part time job, Mang Danny also calls on the government to provide P500 monthly subsidy for senior citizens, noting that not all senior citizens can avail of the state insurance.
“Alam mo ang senior (citizen), marami din tayong wala namang pension. Nag senior sila dahil hindi sila nakaabot sa requirement ng SSS. saka ng GSIS kaya marami din naman talagang senior (citizens) na wala naman talagang pension,” he argued.
The POPCOM said helping the senior citizens earn from a small business will also contribute to the country’s economy as they can employ others as well.
This year, the country’s elderly population is projected to increase by 8.2% or may reach 8.9 million.
Thus, the government is urged to create sustainable programs for them.
Based on the agency’s study, life expectancy nowadays has now reached 72 years for Filipino women while Filipino men may reach a maximum age of 67.
The agency concludes, women live longer than men because men are more likely to engage in vices and hard labor. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Rey Pelayo)
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