Press Release
September 10, 2009

P150M HEALTHCARE PROGRAM FOR ABANDONED ELDERS PUSHED

Senator Bong Revilla pushed for the protection of abandoned elders in the country through a P150 million healthcare program of the government.

According to the senator, proliferation of abandoned elders in the streets is noticeable nationwide which contradicts the Filipino moral image of having high regard for older persons.

He said the Philippines ' elderly population, ranging 60 years old and above, is already more than five million and with this, the number of senior citizens who are victims of violence and abandonment is also increasing. "We must not ignore the worsening situation of our elderly, especially those with no identifiable family member or without any means of support or sustenance. Our government must do something about it", said Revilla.

The lawmaker stressed that under Republic Act (RA) 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, the government is obliged to provide a comprehensive health care and rehabilitation system for disabled senior citizens to foster their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive ageing. "There is a great challenge in delivering social services needed by the growing number of senior citizens in our society, especially those who were neglected or abandoned in the streets. Aside from food and shelter, we must provide them a concrete healthcare program," he said.

Revilla filed SBN 3356 or the "Welfare and Protection Act for the Elderly of 2009" that would compel the national government to release one hundred fifty million pesos (P150, 000,000.00) annually as a special fund of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for abandoned elders.

Under SBN 3356, any male or female, 60 years old and above, with no identifiable family member or without any means of support or sustenance shall be entrusted under the care and custody of recognized home for the aged institutions accredited by the DSWD. The home for the aged institutions shall facilitate the monthly visits of medical personnel to make sure that the health issues of the elderly are monitored and addressed properly.

In the event that hospitalization is needed, the payment of the hospitalization bills of the elderly will be sourced from the special fund. "This measure mandates that all abandoned elders shall be entrusted in the care of the proper institution. Their health needs and hospitalization support shall also be provided by the government. This is in accordance of a provision of our Constitution that states that it is the duty of the family to take care of its older person members while the State may design programs of social security for them," Revilla added.

News Latest News Feed