Over nine million Filipinos (as of the 2020 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA) are considered "dual citizens," according to the old joke.
Having reached the age of 60 years old and above, they are now Filipino citizens and senior citizens.
Despite that joke, however, the fact is that being a senior citizen in the Philippines can be a sad burden.
They face not only the usual problems of deteriorating health due to their advancing age but also the loneliness and isolation that comes with it.
While specialized medical care for senior citizens have been one of the top priorities of both national and local governments, the fact is that there is a dire need for spaces where their overall needs – both physical, social and mental – are taken care of.
This problem the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) hopes to take care of with the inauguration of the first Senior Citizens Community Care Center (SC3C) in Luzon last May 28.
NCSC Chairperson Mary Jean Loreche presided the inauguration ceremonies for the new SC3C, located in Barangay Anos, Los Baños, Laguna.
Outgoing Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Anthony “Ton” Genuino, Senior Citizens Partylist Representative Rodolfo Ordanes, NCSC Commissioner Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Jay Beltran, Los Baños Office of Senior Citizens Affairs President Remia Adedoja, and other officials also attended the launch.
According to NCSC and the local government of Los Baños, the new SC3C aims to bring not only essential services to elderly but also opportunities for them to socialize and maximize their physical and mental faculties in spite of their advancing age.
“Ang proyektong ito ay patunay ng tapat na hangarin ng lokal na pamahalaan na itaas ang antas ng serbisyo para sa mga senior citizens—isang ligtas, maaliwalas, at mapagmalasakit na tahanan para sa kanilang ikagiginhawa,” the Los Baños LGU said in its Facebook page.
The new facility is equipped with a variety of facilities and amenities, including a massage station, theater room, indoor gym, health check station, activity and therapy room and lounge area for social interaction.
On the first day of the opening of the new SC3C, seniors were treated to various fitness activities such as Tai Chi and social dancing.
In addition, the NCSC and the Los Baños LGU mobilized with various national government agencies to deliver more grassroots-level services for senior citizens.
These include health services from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), as well as support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
NCSC Chairperson Loreche emphasized that the establishment of the facility is part of the Commission’s mandate to prioritize senior citizens and ensure they receive essential services that promote their overall wellbeing.
(With report from the Philippine Information Agency)
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