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Seniors are rights holders, not charity recipients -CHR
The Commission on Human Rights emphasized on Tuesday the importance of recognizing senior citizens as rights holders rather than mere recipients of charity, following reports of age discrimination and physical abuse.
“Kami po dito sa Commission on Human Rights, ang sinasabi namin lagi ay we should not treat our senior citizens as mere recipients of charity or welfare. We must treat them as rights holders,” said CHR Commissioner Beda Epres in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
(Here in the Commission on Human Rights, we always emphasize that senior citizens should not be treated as mere recipients of charity or welfare. We must acknowledge them as rights holders.)
Epres highlighted that CHR conducts annual dialogues with senior citizens, providing them a platform to express concerns about their needs and well-being.
“Dahil sila ay matatanda na nga, minsan nadi-discriminate na sila pagdating sa employment. Pangalawa po ay inadequate yung social security, lalo na yung mga hindi nakakakuha ng pension sa SSS or GSIS, na hindi nagkaroon ng regular employment nung kabataan pa nila. Sinasabi nila na kulang daw yung naibibigay natin na social pension for indigent senior citizens,” he explained.
(Because of their age, they often face discrimination in employment. Additionally, social security support is inadequate, particularly for those who do not receive pensions from the Social Security System or Government Service Insurance System due to irregular employment in their younger years.)
Pressing issues
Another pressing issue is restricted access to healthcare, particularly for seniors in remote areas.
“Isa rin po sa pinaparating nila sa atin is yung restricted access to healthcare lalo na yung mga senior citizens sa farflung area. Wala silang access to transportation… Ito ay nagreresulta ng untreated health condition na pwede po makapagbawas ng kanilang overall well being,” Epres said.
(They lack transportation, making it difficult to reach healthcare facilities. As a result, many suffer from untreated health conditions, negatively affecting their overall well-being.)
Senior citizens also feel excluded from policy-making processes that directly affect them, Epres noted.
The CHR also raised concerns about elder abuse, particularly cases involving family members as perpetrators.
“Panghuli po, ay yung protection against violence, neglect, and abuse. Ang kadahilanan po nito minsan ay unreported po ito. Dahil masakit man isipin or sabihin, minsan po kasi ang mga perpetrators po dito ay members pa ng kanilang family,” he said.
(Protection against violence, neglect, and abuse is a major concern. Unfortunately, many cases go unreported because, in some instances, the perpetrators are their own family members.)
International, legislative efforts
The CHR is actively involved in discussions at the United Nations regarding the establishment of an International Convention on the Rights of Old Persons.
“Kami po ay aktibo na sumasama sa usapin sa United Nations… na kung pwede magkaroon ng International Convention on the Rights of Old Persons. Ito ay magse-serve as an international benchmark kung ano-ano po ang dapat maibigay natin sa ating mga senior citizens,” Epres said.
(We are participating in these discussions to set an international benchmark for the rights and protections that should be provided to senior citizens.)
In addition, the CHR continues to monitor pending bills in Congress aimed at improving senior citizens' welfare.
“So ang ginagawa namin, from time-to-time, nagbibigay po kami ng policy recommendations sa Kongreso kung paano nila ibabalangkas itong mga batas na ito,” he added.
(From time to time, we submit policy recommendations to Congress to help shape these laws effectively.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News
