
A House bill proposes the setup of “senior citizen day care centers” in every barangay to help elderly Filipinos stay well and active through access to community recreation, education, and health services.
Filed by United Senior Citizens Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, House Bill No. 10362, or the draft Senior Citizens Day Care Center Act of 2024, aims to “promote the welfare and protect the interest of the aging and elderly population.”
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that there were 9.22 million senior citizens as of the 2020 Census, 7.5 percent higher than the 7.5 million recorded in 2015, and trending higher.
The lawmaker noted that while the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been providing housing facilities for abandoned, neglected, and homeless senior citizens, these were “simply insufficient and inadequate to address the needs of numerous aging Filipinos whether or not separated from their families.”
“Community-based day care centers can serve as daytime venues for senior citizens living at home, but in need of recreational, educational, health, and/or other socio-cultural programs and services,” she said.
In addition, senior day care centers would also ensure that elderly programs and services can be accessed and be made available to senior citizens, their families, and caregivers.
Under the proposed bill, local governments would be tasked to take charge of, manage and sustain the operation of the senior citizen day care centers in their areas. City and municipal governments would be mandated to ensure there is appropriate funding and resources, derived from their share in national tax revenues, to sustain the operation of such facilities.
“Events like demise of a spouse, retirement from work, and onset of related illnesses may put older persons through brief periods of distress. External support or help may be needed to bring relief and expedite adjustment.”
Facilities where senior citizens can spend time and avail of programs and services would help not only the direct beneficiaries, but their families who have to take care of them as well. If this proposal can become reality, it would be a great help to all Filipinos and be a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of many families in the country.*