Inflation and its impact on senior citizens

The recent government initiative to bolster social pension payouts for indigent senior citizens reflects a vital step in mitigating the impact of inflation on basic necessities.

Increasing the monthly stipend from P500 to P1,000 for over four million deserving seniors is a commendable effort, signaling recognition of their invaluable contributions to national development. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), senior citizens covered by the social pension are those who are ineligible to receive stipends from public or private insurance firms such as the Social Security System, and Government Service Insurance System among others.

Having recently entered the ranks of senior citizenship, I am compelled to advocate for a more comprehensive approach to enhancing the welfare and social services accessible to Filipino elders.

While the current program targets those ineligible for other forms of support, there is a need to reassess existing benefits and privileges across the board. This entails examining discounts on essential goods, public transportation and medication to ensure they remain adequate and competitive in today’s ever-evolving landscape.

Moreover, amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, enforcing dedicated lanes for seniors in commercial establishments is crucial, accompanied by stringent penalties for non-compliance.

To effectively address the diverse needs of seniors, it is essential to engage in regular consultations, gathering insights from seniors of varying backgrounds to understand their unique challenges and to optimize governmental support.

I navigate my senior years with decades of experience as a communicator and drawing upon this, I believe there is room for improvement when it comes to this function. Understanding the significance of providing accurate information to the elderly, I stress the vital need to ensure they are fully informed about their entitlements. A proactive and comprehensive information campaign becomes not just a priority but an imperative, serving as a crucial link between policy implementation and accessibility. What value do these benefits and programs hold if their intended recipients remain unaware or unable to access them?

Collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial in fostering an inclusive and age-friendly society. This underscores our collective appreciation for the invaluable contributions of our seniors to national progress and economic development.

Under President Marcos’s administration, significant strides have been made with National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)’s launch of the five-year Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (PPASC 2023-2028). This initiative aims to cultivate an age-friendly environment and harness the potential of Filipino elders, acknowledging their wealth of experience and knowledge.

As per reports, this action plan stands as a blueprint aimed at actualizing the NCSC’s vision: to foster the wellbeing of senior citizens, ensuring their happiness, health, empowerment, and productivity within secure environments devoid of abuse and exploitation. It strives to safeguard their rights, alleviate poverty, and enable their active contribution to community development.

As we strive to optimize social services for the elderly, let us remain committed to keeping them engaged and informed about their rights and privileges. With almost nine million senior citizens in the country, their empowerment is not only a matter of social responsibility but also a testament to our commitment to inclusive progress and economic development. Making their final years a little bit more tolerable provides a genuine approach to inclusivity for seniors all across the country.