Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto has raised concerns over what he described as the digital and social exclusion of seniors citizens, which could have serious implications on their well-being. (Video courtesy of House of Representatives)
00:00Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Majority Leader, our distinguished colleagues, and esteemed guests.
00:12Magandang hapo po sa ating lahat.
00:16Every October, we celebrate Elderly Filipino Week as mandated by Proclamation No. 470, Series of 1994.
00:27And this year's theme, Embracing Age, Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose, truly captures the essence of this stage in life.
00:42It is but fitting and proper that we do recognize the significant contributions of senior citizens to nation building
00:52and confront the issues and concerns affecting the elderly sector.
00:59As the oldest in age here in the House of Representatives, but with the agility of 30, 40, or 50-something,
01:09I rise to the occasion to honor our senior citizens, considered as the living repositories of our nation's history, culture, and wisdom.
01:23Each wrinkle tells a story of a struggle overcome.
01:29Each silver thread of hair signifies a lesson learned.
01:34But beyond the ceremonies and tributes, this celebration, it is just about looking back.
01:41It is about looking forward.
01:45It is a firm declaration that the pursuit of a meaningful life does not fade with retirement.
01:51It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every Filipino senior citizen lives with profound dignity,
02:03the dignity of respect, the dignity of comprehensive care, and the dignity of being fully heard and valued in our society.
02:13Mr. Speaker, it is said that the true measure of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
02:26In that measure, the welfare of our elderly is a reflection of who we are as a people.
02:33While our senior citizens have built the foundations of our communities and sacrificed for the progress we now enjoy,
02:43many of them are living their twilight years in poverty, illness, and neglect.
02:51Una po, Mr. Speaker, marami sa ating mga senior citizens ang walang stable na source of income after retirement.
02:59And, lalo na mga nagtrabaho sa informal sector, kaya't wala silang pensyon,
03:07this is the reality that we have to face.
03:12Those who do rely on your SSS or JSIS pensions, find that the amount is not enough to meet even your basic needs,
03:23especially amid the rising prices of food, utilities, and medicines.
03:28Ang binibigay ng gobyerno na social pension as a gesture of compassion is no longer sufficient for today's cause of living.
03:40Pangalawa po, Mr. Speaker, ang usaping health and access to medical care,
03:46We cannot deny the fact that the old age comes with illness.
03:54Yet, many of our elderly struggle to afford medicines, diagnostic tests, or hospital care.
04:03While field health coverage has improved, gaps remain, especially for maintenance drugs,
04:10geographic care, and long-term treatment.
04:13Lalong-lalong na iyong nakatira sa mga liblib na lugar kung maaasa na lang sa gamot galing sa mga field centers
04:23na kung minsan kulang-kulang o kaya worse, wala pa.
04:31Pangatlo, social neglect and loneliness.
04:35The sad reality, Mr. Speaker, is that many of our senior citizens experience social isolation,
04:47lalong-lalong na kapag sila ay nagkasakit.
04:50Walang tumitingin sa kanila at nangungumusta.
04:55May mga sitwasyon na makikita natin silang nagpapalimos.
05:20At yung iba naman ay dinadala sila sa mga home for the aged.
05:28Nakalimitan, overcrowded na rin.
05:32Mabuti kung mayroon home for the aged sa lahat ng probinsya, especially sa far-plung areas.
05:39Pang-apat, Mr. Speaker, digital and social exclusion.
05:43In this age of digital transformation, many elderly Pilipinos are left behind.
05:50Gaya ng transaksyon na sa bangko, sa healthcare appointments,
05:55sa pagkuhan ng benefits sa gobyerno na naging online na rin.
06:00Gaya ng sa GSIS, bigla na lang natigil ang aking nakarampot na pensyon.
06:06Ngayon pala, dapat mong i-download na tinatawag na GSIS application upang doon mo gagawin ang mag-appear o active program for information reintegration.
06:22Paano na lang ang mga nasa liblib na lugar kung wala silang mga cellphone or wifi?
06:28Ganun na lang ba na ititigil ang kanilang mga pensyon?
06:34O kaya dapat, bumibiyay pa sila papunta sa malalayong GSIS offices para maturuan nito?
06:41Without assistance, many senior citizens are able to access these services,
06:48cutting them off from opportunities and benefits rightfully, dear.
06:52Mr. Speaker, I humbly call on this August body,
06:59it has to commit to being the active hands that uphold the dignity of our elders,
07:06creating a nation where every senior is not just surviving, but truly thriving with purpose.
07:14Your hands were once toiled to feed the younger generation.
07:22Your wisdom continues to guide the younger citizens,
07:27and your sacrifices made them what they become today.
07:32Now why magkaroon po tayo ng isang bansa na naniniwala ang pagtanda
07:40na hindi pasanin, hindi pasanin, hindi isang privilegiyo.
07:48In closing, Mr. Speaker,
07:51allow me to quote Nelson Mandela when he said, and I quote,
07:59A society that does not value its elder people denies its roots and endanger its future, and quote.
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