Source: Public Relations and Information Department

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Creation of senior citizen's body urged
02 October 2008 12:57:35 PM
Writer: PRID

Lakas-CMD Rep. Eduardo C. Zialcita today urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to create by Executive Order a Senior Citizens Commission that would oversee the various institutional programs promoting the rights and welfare of the elderly.

"If we have a National Youth Commission, why not a Senior Citizens Commission? The elderly deserves our attention and gratitude as a nation," Zialcita said.

At the same time, Zialcita, vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Information and member of the House Committee on Human Rights, appealed to Congress to hasten the approval of pending measures that promote the welfare of the Filipino elderly, recognizing their rights and valuable contributions to the society.

"While the House of Representatives and the Senate are thoroughly reviewing and consolidating its versions of the proposals granting updated social pension to the elderly, President Arroyo may take this opportunity to create the Senior Citizens Commission," Zialcita suggested.

Zialcita is proposing that the Commission be tasked to "harness and develop senior citizens in the country in coordination with all other groups dedicated to the same mission of uplifting the plight and welfare of the elderly in the Philippines."

In a privileged speech delivered Tuesday, Zialcita lamented that in the past Congresses, legislators were seemed insensitive to the needs of elderly persons as they did not even bother to appropriate the needed funding support for their welfare.

"For the sake of the elderly, considered our national treasure, for the sake of economic development of the country itself, now is the moment to pass a social pension for the elderly poor. We could and should do it in honor of our grandparents-as a repayment of a debt of gratitude.

"There are presently 7 million over 60 years of age, more women than men who are the most vulnerable. Since 1995, Congress has appropriated 1% of the budget for the elderly and disabled. The 1 % would be more than adequate to provide a social pension for the poorest among the elderly who number around 2 million. The Philippine government is also signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which seeks to substantially reduce poverty by 2015.

"Now is the time for change. By 2050 one in five of the world's population will be over the age of 60. Government must start investing in and supporting older people now or their huge potential to build a better future for families and communities will not be realized as age demand action," Zialcita stressed.

Zialcita's speech coincided with the nation's observance of the "Filipino Elderly Week" (October 1-7, 2008) and International Day of Older Persons (October 7, 2008), with the theme: "Mahalin, Galangin at Kalingain ang mga Nakatatanda!"

In his speech, Zialcita also lamented that the elderly poor "are the fastest growing sector of our population." He said at present they number seven million, destined to double in population within the next 20 years.

He also mentioned the fact that thousands of Filipino people go abroad as care givers for older people in different countries all over the globe.

"It is tragic that we care for others but we tend to forget our very own. A massive rural and urban migration has placed added pressure on the problems besetting older people. Many people rush to work often leaving the elderly uncared for," Zialcita pointed out.

In acknowledging the problem, the Paranaque lawmaker urged the House leadership to immediately act on a number of pending bills which hope to address the problems of older people.

"We will soon pass the abolition of EVAT tax on senior citizens discounts. We welcome that relief indeed. Yet the reality is that a significant number of older people are poor, in some provinces as high as 50 % and they worry less about discounts in restaurants, hotels, entertainment and airplane. Their priority is plain survival," Zialcita said.

"Bills to grant a social pension to poor older people are also pending in both houses of legislature. We already have a committee report to that effect. Our senate counterparts have signified their support to the bill," he added.