CEBU, Philippines - Senator Edgardo Angara said that the elderly will not have to be regarded as a drain in natural resources if we put in place measures which ensure their financial independence, health and productivity.
Angara, keynote speaker of the gathering of social scientists in Asia Pacific at the Parklane International Hotel in Cebu City, said that we must promote the participation of older persons as citizens with full rights and assure that persons everywhere are able to age with security and dignity.
Angara, author of the Senior Citizens Act, said that we must look beyond giving benefits and perks to our ageing population by rather focus on providing opportunities for them and for all of us in our old age to attain the fullest life possible.
The senator said that ageing is no longer just the concern of the developed world, rather one of the biggest global concerns today.
He said that the human population is ageing faster than ever and that the older population is expanding more rapidly than the total population across the world.
It projected that there will be one billion older people by 2030.
In the Philippines, Angara said as of 2011, NSCB data shows that senior citizens accounts about 6.6 million and by 2020, our elderly would number 9.7 million and by 2040, they would total 19.6 million.
Unfortunately, Angara said that senior citizens are among the poorest sectors in the country with the sixth highest poverty incidence.
“The quality of life of elderly Filipinos depends largely on the support provided by his family. Those lucky enough to receive pension after retirement only get an amount just above the minimum wage. Our elderly often do not keep this meager income for themselves as many still provide for their children and grandchildren. That is our reality,†said Angara to the over a hundred social scientists coming from Asia-Pacific.
This two-day conference, “Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Balancing the State and the Familyâ€, aims to engage social scientists in the Asia-Pacific as they examine the role and responsibilities of the kin group and the State in providing care and support to ageing citizens.
Angara added that because the elderly are typically financially insecure, it is not uncommon to see many of them still working in their old age and wanted to remain productive members of their family and society and does not want to be regarded as a burden.
“If we are to face a future with a large older population, then we must conceive of viable means for post-retirement employment or livelihood opportunities for the elderly,†he added. (FREEMAN)