MARCH 11, 2014

NR # 3402

Long-term care program for senior citizens pushed

A lady lawmaker is pushing for the immediate passage of a measure institutionalizing long-term care for senior citizens. Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District !ue"a Eci#a$ author of %ouse &ill '(1) said the senior citizens as mem*ers of society should *e recognized for their in"alua*le contri*ution to nation *uilding. +,he State should engage in a more "igorous role in protection preser"ing and e"en impro"ing the welfare of senior citizens in the country. Such is also in line with the -ilipinos. age-old custom of re"ering our elderly relati"es up to the end of their days / Suansing said. ,he measure to *e known as the 0ong-,erm 1are for Senior 1itizens Act of 2)1' shall ha"e an integrated and inno"ati"e elderly-focused health and social ser"ices under the !ational 0ong-,erm 1are 3rogram for Senior 1itizens made a"aila*le at the local le"el. Suansing said the !ational 0ong-,erm 1are 3rogram shall include mainstreaming acti"ities such as lifelong education programs for aging preparation and non-formal education at the local le"el for the senior citizens. +De"elopment programs which will allow senior citizens to remain acti"ely engaged in as many social economic and community acti"ities as possi*le shall form part of the national long-term care program / Suansing said. 3articular emphasis shall *e made on disease pre"ention health promotion and wellness of mind *ody and spirit. %ealth ser"ices shall comprise pre"enti"e curati"e and reha*ilitati"e health care ser"ices in all go"ernment and pri"ate hospitals local health facilities and other community-*ased facilities. ,he measure also pro"ides home nursing for the elderly facilities for respite care programs on counselling professional guidance and emotional support and low-cost community-*ased acti"ities integrated into e4isting community health programs as well as strengthening of inter-generational relationships. Suansing pushed for the immediate passage of the *ill saying it +will reduce po"erty and "ulnera*ility to risks of senior citizens as well as enhance their social status and rights promoting and protecting them against hazards and sudden loss of income and impro"ing their capacity to manage risk./ ,he !ational 0ong-,erm 1are 3rogram for Senior 1itizens shall *e implemented #ointly *y the Department of -inance (D5-$ Department of %ealth (D5%$ Department of 6nterior and 0ocal 7o"ernment (D607$ the Department of Social 8elfare and De"elopment (DS8D$ and the "arious local go"ernment units. ,he !ational 6nter Agency 9onitoring &oard created under Repu*lic Act !o. :2;( otherwise known as the E4panded Senior 1itizens Act shall take the lead in monitoring the implementation of the Act. ,he DS8D in consultation with other implementing agencies shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the orderly implementation of this Act. (')$ jsc