01/10/2013: DOH announces new program for elder persons From the Department of Health The Department of Health (DOH) today spearheaded the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week, in coordination with other government agencies, in its efforts to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of our elderly population, especially the indigents. “As a token of the government’s appreciation for our elderly, Philhealth is providing our senior citizens free membership after retirement, and we hope to improve on their benefit packages soon,” Secretary of Health Enrique T. Ona declared, adding that the goal is to provide them affordable and quality health care services as well as sustain their function, self esteem as well as life satisfaction. In the country, the population of 60 years or older was 3.7 million in 1995 or 5.4% of total population. In the 2000 census, this increased to about 4.8 million or almost 6% (National Statistical Coordination Board). At present, there are 7M senior citizens (6.9% of the total population), 1.3M of whom are indigent. Likewise, the DOH believes that senior citizens can still be economically productive. As part of the country’s celebration of Elderly Filipino Week, the DOH lauded the program that hires senior citizens as part of seasonal workforce. As part of the corporate social responsibility of a supermarket chain, its pilot program is hiring documented senior citizens, 60-70 years old, medically fit and are residents of communities where there is an existing branch. The senior citizens will be given part-time jobs as ushers or greeters in the malls with four-hour working days twice a week, preferably on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays when there is an influx of customers. They will work anytime between 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They start work on October 5, 2013. The Elderly Filipino Week is celebrated every year during the first week of October pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 470 issued on September 26, 1994. The annual event aims to increase public awareness on the different issues senior citizens face today. This year’s theme is: “Nakatatanda: Pagtulungang Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa Maginhawa at Masayang Pamayanan.” More than 2,000 participants from the 17 Metro Manila chapters of the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines, the Regional Senior Citizens Federation, Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Coalition of Older Persons in the Philippines, other government and non-government agencies and organizations will join the event spearheaded by the DOH. “With the latest trend that shows the increasing number of older persons and their longer life
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 22:31:47 +0000