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SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES
(Background Material)
PHILIPPINE SITUATIONER
Demographic Trends
6.8% 6.74%
6.8% Percent of population aged 60 6.74%
6.7%
6.7% and above
6.6% 6.60%
6.6% 6.60%
6.5%
6.5% 6.50%
6.4% 6.50%
6.4%
6.3% 6.30%
6.3% 6.30%
6.2%
6.2%
6.1%
6.1%
6.0%
6.0%
2002 2003 2004 2005
2002 2003 2004 2005
Population Distribution of Senior Citizens by Region: Philippines, 2000
Percent to
Number of Percent to
Total Total
Region Senior Regional
Population Senior
Citizens Population
Citizens
PHILIPPINES 76,504,077 4,565,560 100.00 5.97
REGION I - Ilocos Region 4,200,478 337,797 7.40 8.04
REGION II - Cagayan Valley 2,813,159 179,655 3.94 6.39
REGION III - Central Luzon 8,030,945 482,333 10.56 6.01
REGION IV - Southern Tagalog 11,793,655 648,495 14.20 5.50
REGION V - Bicol Region 4,686,669 313,531 6.87 6.69
REGION VI - Western VIsayas 6,211,038 473,752 10.38 7.63
REGION VII - Central Visayas 5,706,953 409,791 8.98 7.18
REGION VIII - Eastern Visayas 3,610,355 270,447 5.92 7.49
REGION IX - Western Mindanao 3,091,208 157,324 3.45 5.09
REGION X - Northern Mindanao 2,747,585 155,273 3.40 5.65
REGION XI - Southern Mindanao 5,189,335 259,533 5.68 5.00
REGION XII - Central Mindanao 2,598,210 120,425 2.64 4.63
NCR (National Capital Region) 9,932,560 468,876 10.27 4.72
CAR (Cordillera Administrative
1,365,412 86,741 1.90 6.35
Region)
ARMM (Autonomous Region in
2,412,159 76,590 1.68 3.18
Muslim Mindanao)
Caraga 2,095,367 124,283 2.72 5.93
ASIAN REGIONAL SITUATIONER
It is estimated that the proportion of persons aged 60 years and older in the world will
double between 2000 and 2050, from 10 to 21 per cent (i.e. from 600 million to 2 billion
in absolute number) 1.
In 2025, it is projected that 15 per cent of the world population will be aged 60 and over.
Among the world's population aged 60 years and above, 52 per cent live in Asia and the
Pacific in 2002, and this is projected to increase to 59 percent in 2025 2. Asia and the
Pacific is the most rapidly aging region of the world.
The median age for Asia was 22 in 1950, 27 in 2005, and is expected to be 39 by 2050.
One out of every 10 persons is now 60 years old or more; by 2050, it will be one out of
five. By 2150, it will be one out of three persons. The older population itself is ageing.
1 UNESCAP statistics on older persons in the world
2 UN Programme on Ageing
The oldest old (80 years or older) is the fastest growing segment of the older population.
They currently make up 13 per cent of the 60-and-Above age group and will increase to
20 per cent by 2050.
Enabling Philippine Laws on Senior Citizens
The 1987 Philippine Constitution
Article XIII, Section II (Health)
Provides that “The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to all people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the
needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.”
Article XV, Section IV (The Family)
States that “It is the duty of the family to take care of its older person members while the
State may design program of social security for them.”
Republic Act No. 9257 (Enacted on February 26, 2004)
“An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens, Amending for the
Purpose Republic Act 7432, otherwise known as the “An Act to Maximize the
Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges
and for Other Purposes.”
This law was enacted to give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of the
elderly and their full participation in society considering the senior citizens are integral
part of the Philippine society. It expanded the coverage of the benefits and privileges
due for senior citizens to include all business establishments. It made mandatory the
provision of 20% discount in all establishments, as well as installed due processes in the
organization of the OSCA and selection of the OSCA Head. It also recognizes the
important role of the private sector in the improvement of the welfare of senior citizens
and to actively seek their partnership.
Republic Act No. 8425 (Enacted on December 10, 1997)
“An Act Institutionalizing the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Program, Crafting for
the Purpose the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Defining Its Powers and functions,
and for Other Purposes”
The law institutionalizes and enhances the Social Reform Agenda which embodies the
results of consultations and summits on poverty alleviation, thereby creating for the
purpose the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). It adopted an area-based,
sectoral and focused intervention to poverty alleviation wherein every poor Filipino family
shall be empowered to meet its minimum basic needs of health, food and nutrition, water
and environmental sanitation, income security, shelter and decent housing, peac e and
order, education and functional literacy, participation in governance, and family care and
psycho-social integrity. The Senior Citizens, as one of the basic sectors, is represented
in the NAPC.
Republic Act No. 7876 (Enacted on July 25, 1994)
“An Act Establishing a Senior Citizens Center in all Cities and Municipalities of the
Philippines, and Appropriating Funds Therefore.”
The law was enacted to mandate the establishment of a senior citizens center in all cities
and municipalities under the direct supervision of the DSWD in coordination with the
LGUs to cater to older persons’ socialization and interaction needs as well as to serve as
venue for the conduct of other meaningful activities.
The law further states that DSWD in coordination with the L GUs, the DOH and other
government agencies, the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines
(FSCAP) and other NGOs shall provide the necessary services to include but not limited
to the following: social and recreational services, health and personal care services,
spiritual services, livelihood services and volunteer resource services.
Republic Act No. 7432 (Enacted on July 22, 1991)
“An Act to Maximize Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits
and Special Privileges and For Other Purposes.”
The law recognized the contributions of older persons in nation building as active
participants. It mobilizes their families and the communities they live with to reaffirm the
valued Filipino tradition of caring for the older persons.
It also made mandatory the granting of the 20% discount from all establishments relative
to utilization of transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishment,
restaurants and recreation centers and purchase of medicine anywhere in the country. It
also exempted the senior citizens who are below poverty level from the payment of
individual income taxes.
Republic Act No. 344 or the Accessibility Law of 1982
(Enacted on February 25, 1983)
It enhances the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions,
establishments and other public utilities to install facilities and other devices. This Act
provides for the minimum requirements and standards to make building, facilities and
utilities for public use accessible to disabled persons including older persons who are
confined to wheelchairs and those who have difficulty in walking or climbing stairs,
among others. Rule II, Section 1.3 states that the built environment and transportation
shall be designed so that it shall be accessible and shall ensure safety to disabled
people, including older persons.
THE PPASC: SENIOR CITIZENS AND DEVELOPMENT
Creation of National/Local Councils for Empowerment of Older Citizens
The DSWD, being the Chair of the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB)
continuously coordinated and monitored the implementation of RA 9257 or the
“Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003” The NCMB is a National Inter-Agency body
composed of other NGAs, POs and NGOs that are mandated to oversee the
implementation and monitoring of the law;
It directed the conduct of fifteen (15) meetings and consultation dialogues among
different regional and provincial associations of senior citizens to discuss the problems
encountered in implementing the law and how it will be resolved;
Two hundred ninety-five (295) cities/municipalities in eight (8) regions were organized
and have a functional Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) during this period. The
OSCA is mandated to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of policies, programs
and services for older citizens. Thus, the OSCA is an avenue where the older citizens
become part of local governance and head of the office; and
Through he OSCA the older citizens has been actively participating in the administration,
planning and program development/implementation of programme for their sector
together with the LGUs/NGos. It’s glad to note that there were one hundred seventy
three (173) OSCAs organized through the lobbying efforts of the Department.
Nationwide Data Banking of Older Citizens
As of the moment, we had registered a total of fourteen thousand three hundred seventy-
nine (14, 379) older citizens in eight (8) regions in the Data Banking Program. This is a
nationwide programme in partnership with other NGAs, LGUs and NGOs; and
The online data bank provides an updated profile of older citizens in each region,
province, municipality and barangay with their socio-economic profile and disaggregated
data. This will be useful for policy makers and planners.
Advocacy
In our advocacy effort on new and existing policies; we conducted of Information and
Education campaign on the General Appropriations Act (GAA) on appropriating 1% of
their total budget for Senior Citizens and PWDs to a total of seventy (70) LGUs. From
this number, forty- two (42) LGUs increases budget allocation for projects and activities
for the senior citizens. The automatic allocation of budget for services is a recognition
that we are investing on alleviating older citizens out of poverty;
Thirty-five (35) municipalities were advocated on the integration of senior citizens
concern in their local plan. The local development plan is a tool whereby the LGUs will
based their budget and programme;
To raise awareness of the wider public in promoting active ageing; we institutionalize the
celebration of Elderly Filipino Week every first week of October in-line with the
celebration of the World celebration on Ageing.
In addition, Older Citizens’ forum, General Assemblies, Pensioner’s Day and Pre-
Retirement Seminars are our regular advocacy activities in partnership with Federation
of Senior Citizens Associations in the Philippines (FSCAP), OSCA and NGOs to made
the public aware of the issues and concerns of the sector; and
Advocacy/tri media exposures through distribution of brochures and flyers, as well as
radio/TV programs were used as regular venue to promote the rights and welfare of the
senior citizens.
Community Based Support Services for Indigent Older Citizens
To respond to the growing number of poor older citizens; we are actively providing
livelihood program such as: hog dispersal, sari-sari store and poultry raising which
benefited sixty eight (68) availed financial assistance worth Php 618, 000 for CY 2007;
In addition, a total of ninety (90) persons including older citizens were trained on various
livelihood skills such as food processing and soap and candle making; and
To promote micro-entrepreneurship among older citizens, we initiated organization of
twenty one (21) Older Citizens Associations which availed of the Self Employment
Assistance -Kaunlaran Program while twenty-five (25) senior citizens operators were
identified and assessed for extension of Tindahan Natin Outlets where the community
store is manage by the older citizens themselves.
Capability-Building for Intermediaries
To provide support to our intermediaries, consultation dialogues were conducted to
nineteen (19) LGUs while ninety- eight (98) older citizens have been provided with
technical assistance on the conduct of organizational management training.
Encouraging Volunteers among Older Citizens
To encourage volunteering for the older citizens, we encourage able bodied older
citizens to be an active part in our society. Thus, there were a total of one-hundred
seventeen (117) volunteers their services to the residential institution and provided care
giving to frail older citizens, beautification of the center through landscaping, gardening,
sweeping the ground and, daily collection of garbage.
Meanwhile, there were forty-five (45) volunteers from who provided support services to
older citizens in the community such as gardening and conduct of physical fitness and
recreational activities; and
The DSWD Intergenerational Program was enhanced by including as one of its features
the organization of a pool of selected volunteers trained to render services to senior
citizens;
The encouragement of volunteers among older citizens will contribute in encouraging
them to contribute in service for the frail elderly. Moreover, this will enhance the inter-
generational relationship between the older persons and children.
THE PPASC: ADVANCING HEALTH AND WELL BEING INTO OLD
AGE
Community Based Health Services for the Indigent Older Citizens
A total of five thousand five hundred one (5, 501) indigent senior citizens availed the
non-paying program of PhilHealth; the Philhealth program is initiated by the government
to provide health services/insurance to indigent older citizens. It also provides subsidize
and hospitalization to the older citizens and his/her family.
There were a total of thirty (30) FSCAP members were involved in the Alay Kalinga’s
campaign for the prevention of dengue and one-hundred fifteen (115) OSCA members
participated in the clean and green program;
A total of one-hundred forty- seven (147) OSCA Chapter officers attended the
training/workshop on active ageing to optimize their opportunities for health, income,
participation and security while twelve thousand twenty-six (12,026) senior citizens in
CARAGA attended the graceful ageing seminar;
More than four thousand one hundred (4,100) senior citizens have either benefited or
participated in, activities that included regular weekly exercise, educational tra ining, rice
assistance, free purchase slips, and water supply and sanitation facilities;
A total of two- thousand two hundred ninety-five (2,295) senior citizens in various regions
were provided with medical check-ups and medicines. In addition, one thousand two
hundred ninety-seven (1,297) indigent senior citizens were extended with financial
assistance and micronutrient supplement. Also, ten- thousand three hundred twenty-
seven (10,327) indigent senior citizens attended the PhilHealth orientation and become
member to enable them to cope with crisis or emergency situations; and
Establishment of Geriatric Wards
There were seven (7) government/private hospitals that established geriatric wards. At
present, St. Lukes Hospital is specializing and Geriatrician; and
The Government and the Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine which is the nationwide
organization of medical and para- professionals involve in providing services for the
elderly conducts medical fora and symposium about the medical concerns of growing
old.
Assistance to Sick, Frail, Abandoned, Disabled and
Impoverished Older Citizens
A total of two thousand three hundred eighty-two (2,382) senior citizens were provided
varied services by the Crisis Intervention Units (CIUs) nationwide;
For this period, a total of 501 senior citizens were served in the Department’s three
residential care facilities that cater to male and female senior citizens who are
abandoned, neglected and needy. The residents were provided with homelife services
which include: the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter; health services (medical
psychological and dietary care); and opportunities for recreational, spiritual and livelihood
activities; and
Eight (8) senior citizens with disabilities were provided with assistive device.
New Social Technologies in Response to Emerging Concerns/Issues
The DSWD designed and implemented a number of new and enhanced social
technologies that recognizes the invaluable contribution of senior citizens within their
families and their communities.
Integrated Network of Community Support for the Able Bodied Senior Citizens
This new social technology mobilizes local networks through organizing pool of
volunteers in the community to provide support for the fifteen (15) able-bodied
unattached senior citizens housed at the Home for the Aged-Monkayo Extension Office
in Tagum City, Davao del Norte particularly those who have skills in farming.
Managing of Older Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (Phase III)
The project is being piloted in a DSWD manage residential center (e.g. Golden Acres)
and provides specialized services for older citizens residents with Alzheimer’s. The
project components are the ff: capability-building of caregivers and medical diagnosis
and palliative are for the older citizens. As of the present, it caters to ten (10) clients
diagnosed with this ailment. It has been implemented through partnership with St. Luke’s
Hospital.
Neighborhood Support Services for Older Persons (NSSOP)
The NSSOP is a community based program that involves the community/neighborhood
to take effective steps to enhance members of the families in their care giving capability
to a sick, frail, bedridden or with disability older citizens. For the 2 nd semester, the
NSSOP was implemented to eleven (11) LGUs to respond to the senior citizens who are
unattached and belonging to low income families who were abandoned by their families.
A total of two-hundred twenty three (223) older citizens in CARAGA were trained on
NSSOP while five (5) school organizations in Baguio City were involved in the
implementation of the social technology.
THE PPASC: ENSURING ENABLING AND SUPPORTIVE
ENVIRONMENTS
Support Services to Older Citizens
One thousand four hundred four (1,404) IDs were issued to senior citizens. The ID is
use to avail of the privileges and discount for older citizens and
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Region II monitored circular pertaining to senior
citizens and who applied for tax exemption was approved by BIR.
Technical Assistance/Support to Intermediaries (NGOs, POs & LGUs)
Nineteen (19) social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) and two (2) social
welfare agencies (SWAs) providing services to senior citizens were registered and four
(4) were licensed. And one-hundred fifty (150) service providers for senior citizens were
accredited;
Three (3) NGOs were issued authority to conduct national fund drives while two (2)
registered agencies were endorsed to the Department of Finance (DOF) for duty-free
entry of foreign donations.
DSWD Field Offices advocate for the enactment of local ordinances for senior citizens
were passed. Among these are on the Senior Citizen Code, provision of burial
assistance to senior citizens, monthly pension to 90 years old and above, free movies
during Monday and Tuesday, 20% discount on tricycle fare, funding support for senior
citizens, establishment of Senior Citizens’ Center, and procedure for handling senior
citizens complaint;
Thirty-two (32) capability-building activities designed to improve the services given to
senior citizens for the 2nd semester. These were provided by 16 Field Offices to 365
SWD implementers and intermediaries; and
Establishment of fifteen (15) consumer’s desks, preparation of the annual plan of action,
and the development of a common tool for monitoring and evaluation of the PPASC.
Institutional Strengthening
The NCMB facilitated and requested the development of two (2) purchase booklets for
agricultural products and prime commodities were developed that provides 5% discount
for older citizens; and
Establishment of 15 consumer’s desks in CAR, preparation of the annual plan of action,
and the development of a common tool for monitoring and evaluation of the PPASC.
GO AND NGO COLLABORATION
Policy Legislation and Planning
One of the main provisions of the law is on Partnership of Government & NGO which
provides the following support services/incentives to NGOs serving the older citizens:
50% discount on consumption of electricity & telephone of accredited SC centers
& residential homes; and
Assistance to residential homes/communities/ retirement villages (reality tax
holiday for 1st-5th years).
The law provides the creation of the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board
(NCMB) which is mandated to oversee the implementation of the law. It appointed five
(5) representatives coming from the NGOs to sit in the national and regional boards. As
of 2007, there were seventeen (17) boards established and there were a total of eighty-
five (85) NGOs representatives
Program Development, Implementation and Support
As of 3rd Qtr 2007, the DSWD served 261, 504 families and/or 1,189,767 victims of
disaster3. From this figure, it is estimated that there are almost 300, 000 older citizens
who has been provided with services.
In recognition of the high amount of resources in maintaining a residential center for the
vulnerable sectors most especially the older citizens. The DSWD initiated a
memorandum with the largest power supplier in the country to implement the Subsidized
Power Rate Program to Welfare Agencies with Residential Care which provides 40%
discount to the electric consumption of the registered NGOs serving the older citizens
and other sectors. As of CY 2007, seventy-seven registered NGOs benefited from the
discount.
We also strengthened the referral system among the DSWD and NGO’s residential
center. The DSWD center provided services to four hundred ninety (490) older citizen
residents most of whom requires palliative care. While the NGOs center cater for abled
body and independent older citizen who are abandoned.
Monitoring and Advocacy
The strategies that we used to operationalize the ABSNET are the following:
Conduct of consultation dialogue (e.g. Clustering by Provinces, Selection of
Core Group, Election of Chairperson and Other Officers, Identification of
Official Station of ABSNET). Senior Citizens Welfare is one of the six sectors
identified in the core group;
Capability Building shall be provided with the NGO members of the ABSNET;
and
Mobilization of ABSNET.
3 DSWD PMB
