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.
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.
“[O]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.
UPPI Director Elma P. Laguna said a change in how we look at aging is in order, for society to see OPs not as a burden, but as active, productive keepers of its collective knowledge.
“[A]ctive aging is, kahit may sakit, hindi siya debilitating na wala ka nang magawa. You can still contribute, you can still maximize your potential. Ibig sabihin noon, you really need to invest in your health. Kaakibat kasi iyon, e, na kapag tumanda ka, hindi na lang na nagretire ka at lumalabas lahat ng klase ng sakit. More on preventive. You have to have a healthy lifestyle, eat healthy, sleep a lot,” she said.
Meanwhile, Executive Director Emmanuel Daez of the National Commission on Senior Citizens and Germaine Trittle Leonin of the United Senior Citizens Partylist, acknowledged the value of LSAHP Wave 2.
Leonin, in particular, recognized the role that the data from the first wave of the LSAHP played in crafting RA. No. 9994, and her desire to incorporate the findings in LSAHP Wave 2 into the bills they are currently working on.
“We look forward to working more with you so that we could improve on the provisions of our bills, and possibly like we did before, the enhancement of the policies. The implementation of RA 9994 was really due to your study as well,” Leonin said.
LSAHP Wave 2 was launched during a dissemination forum on Aug. 16 at the Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA.