The lines for elderly are packed every time there is a release of government support. I notice how they flock to the ATM machines, aided by their children or grandchildren to be able to collect the subsidy government gives. Although the assistance varies in every area, depending on the capacity of the local government unit to provide, still a few thousand pesos could cover for some of the regular medications of the aging adult.
Of course it is not enough to take care of the needs of the aged. In a country like ours where families extend and live together to choking point, the pooled “income” of each member includes the “ayuda” that lolo or lola gets. But the claims to the government subsidy is not for all in all places. There has to be a certain level of indigency for a person to qualify. Those receiving from other sources like the Government Social Security and Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) may not qualify to receive this special assistance.
The government imposed pension plans like SSS and GSIS are a great help to the retirees, whose lifestyles have to adapt to their new income level. If in their youth they have not invested on projects that would bring passive income, then their only source of resources really would be their pensions. For those who were never into any government insurance, if they did not invest in a pension plan, they will also never ever get anything when they are no longer employable. Bringing them to the status of indigency.
The expanded Senior Citizens Act, RA 9257 of 2003 encourages senior citizens to remain productive and contribute to nation building. This gave rise to more organizations having senior citizens take care of their welfare. It also allows those who are still able contribute their skills and talents to help in nation building. The old adage remains, that experience is the best teacher, and the experience of the senior citizens is a chest worth excavating.
But wait, before that occurs, we have to likewise rebuild the value system of our youth where respect for elders was among the great foundations of development. We used to listen to our grandparents and our parents. Now we just click google or whatever AI. We used to converse, and relate. Now we just chat. We are creating more dysfunctional behaviors as children are nannied by phones or computers.
So if we cannot secure our children’s future, how do we take care of our old?
In the country, available homes for senior citizens cost P36,000 to P95,000 a month. Far too high for the pension one receives at P8,000 to P16,000 for SSS and an average of P30,000 for GSIS. Depending on the year of retirement. So how can we take care of our aged?
Although it is a wish I have been harping on since, I pray our government can devise a non-political, pro-health and wellness program for our senior citizens to have a good quality of life. They have started to scratch the surface but they have to dig deeper and let go of political and personal interests as they do so for they too, will reach a ripe age.
We can revisit our old values and start from there. I have always been adamant about the clear educational program on good morals and right conduct (sounds old eh?). Quality living actually also starts with the quality of our families.
I noted that most of my Chinese friends have maintained their respect for their elders. They always value what their grandparents or parents say. Perhaps that is why they flourish well in their business. They take the good from the experience of the old and add their own updated approaches. Never eliminating wisdom seasoned by time but they build on it.
Most Filipino families who have strong ties, also continue to uphold the wisdom of the elderly and they are able to strengthen their endeavors as well by skipping the mistakes shared with them by the more mature members of their family.
The common jibes of being old and outdated will remain. That is part of life. But if we think passe, we will be irrelevant. However if we think pragmatic and proactively, we will remain in the loop for clarity of vision and the reverence to get there will never be outmoded. As we approach seniority, let us find a way to weave into the new and appreciate the swift applications of technology.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone! God bless you!