The country should soon strengthen the support system for older persons (OP) as the Philippines transitions to an aging society by 2030. This was underscored by the second report of the Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP) project, Aging and Health in the Philippines, Wave 2 (LSAHP Wave 2). LSAHP Wave 2 states that based on worldwide demographic trends, the Philippines is projected to shift to an aging society by 2030, spurred by a recent sharp decline in fertility rates and increased life expectancy. Reactors and special guests receive copies of Aging and Health 2. Photo by Jefferson Villacruz, UP Diliman Information Office According to the report, “the older population growth rate is increasing and will maintain its momentum even as other age groups are expected to experience a declining relative share in the future.” LSAHP Wave 2 finds that many OPs have limited access to and awareness of some beneficial government programs, such as free medication for hypertension and diabetes at public health facilities and free vaccinations. “ur results indicate that only 31% of hypertensives and 18% of diabetics obtain free medication from health centers all the time. More is to be desired regarding the Department of Health’s program that provides indigent senior citizens free vaccinations against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease. Study findings show that 41% are aware of the free pneumococcal vaccination program and 30% know about the flu vaccination program,” the report said. LSAHP Wave 2 states that while there are laws and agencies that currently serve and benefit OPs, like RA No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010) and RA No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Law of 2019), they have overlapping policies that “need to be streamlined and harmonized to create a holistic view of critical issues on aging and to fashion an integrated policy response.” The report also proposed a review of current pension rates to “increase the pensions of private sector retirees so they can be independent of their children and other kin” as well as the establishment of more long-term-care homes for OPs, citing a high prevalence of economic instability among OPs and a “shrinking level of intergenerational support” in Asian cultures such as Japan and South Korea. The LSAHP is a collaboration project of the Demographic Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (DRDF), the UP Population Institute (UPPI), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, and Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Japanese government. The LSAHP project is the “first nationally representative panel study” focusing on OPs in the Philippines. The study defines OPs as those aged 60 or older. The project is led in the Philippines by Grace T. Cruz, PhD, a professor at the UPPI.

Examinees from UP Diliman (UPD) performed well at the August 2024 Registered Electrical Engineers and Registered Master Electricians Licensure Examinations, giving the University a 100% passing rate. The EEEI building. Photo by Jerald DJ. Caranza, UP Diliman Information Office All six first-time examinees from the UPD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) were among the 1,655 who passed the examinations held in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Cebu, and Davao. Based on data released by the Professional Regulation Commission, UPD has consistently performed well in the electrical engineers licensure examination, posting a 100% passing rate since 2018.

The UP Diliman (UPD) community mourns the recent passing of seven of its members: four retired personnel and three in active service. Nanette Garcia-Dungo, PhD passed away on July 29; Ana María Madrigal Llorente, PhD on Aug. 16; Bach M. Macaraya, PhD on Aug. 17; Rainier Arthur P. Cruz on Aug.18; Maria Luisa Fernan on Aug. 18; Romeo M. De Felipe on Aug. 22; and Luisito Santos on Aug. 24. Garcia-Dungo. Image from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Facebook page Both Garcia-Dungo and Fernan were retired professors from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy—Garcia-Dungo from the Department of Sociology (DSocio) and Fernan from the Department of Anthropology. A post on DSocio’s Facebook page said Garcia-Dungo started teaching at the department in 1983 and was its chairperson from June 1999 to October 2002. According to the UP Gazette, she was appointed professorial lecturer until 2007, after her compulsory retirement. Fernan. Image from UGAT Facebook page Ugnayang Pang-Agham Tao (UGAT), in its Facebook post, said that Fernan was “a former board member of UGAT and once served as director of the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program housed at the Philippine Social Science Center.” The Department of European Languages also paid tribute to retired professor Madrigal Llorente on its Facebook page. The post stated that Madrigal Llorente taught Spanish at UPD in the 1980s and 1990s and that “she wrote extensively on Spanish language and culture, as well as on Philippine cultural history.” In addition, the department expressed its gratitude for Llorente’s contributions to teaching and research. Madrigal Llorente. Image from the Department of European Languages Facebook page The College of Education on its Facebook page paid homage to De Felipe, retired administrative assistant who also recently passed on.  The post stated that he served the college for 44 years. De Felipe. Image from the College of Education Facebook page Meanwhile, Macaraya, Santos, and Cruz were members of the UPD community who passed away while in active service. Macaraya was a professorial lecturer at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations; Santos was an administrative staff at the College of Science Office of the Dean; and Cruz was an assistant professor at the Department of Voice, Music Theater, and Dance, College of Music.