Summary
The Philippines has worked on creating healthier and safer environments for people of all ages, and on maximizing the contributions and capacities of older persons. In support of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11350, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) was established under the Office of the President in 2019 as a national coordinating body on ageing, to ensure the full implementation of laws, policies and government programs to protect older adults’ welfare. The Commission closely working with the Department of Health and with support from WHO, developed a draft 2023-2028 Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens, through a consultative and participatory process. The plan adopts a whole-of-government approach to create age-friendly environments that are needed across sectors. The Commission is now developing a national framework for age-friendly environments and implementing age-friendly programmes in five local government units. Moreover, the Commission is promoting healthy and productive ageing through the Wellness and Health, Emergency Response & Benefits Division (WHEREBED), fostering intergenerational transformative dialogues and learning through the Senior Citizen’s Action for Development and Nation Building (SECADNA) project, and advocating that all seniors must have a minimum of an annual regular health, dental, optical, and aural examination (as a building block of a strong primary health care system).
Planning and Implementation
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What was the challenge you were trying to address?
The Commission is addressing the challenges associated with population ageing, especially social determinants of healthy ageing.
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Who were you trying to impact?
Older people in general, Older people with chronic health conditions or disability, Older people with vulnerabilities, Both older and younger people
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What sectors were you targeting?
Education, Health, Housing, Information and Communication, Labour, Long-term care, Social protection, Transportation, Urban development
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Who else was involved?
Government
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How did older people participate?
Older people were part of the process at multiple or all stages
Lessons learned
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Please describe how collaboration worked in your initiative.
To help local government units in implementing age-inclusive programs and services, including community-based preventive gerontology adapted to Filipino culture, the Department of Health (DOH) developed the Manual of Operations and guide. This was followed by a training to ensure our primary health care providers have the knowledge and skills needed for taking care of our older people. This is a priority we continue to drive forward with the support of WHO. Moreover, the DOH developed an Omnibus Health Guidelines for Older People with the authority of implementing rules and regulations, integrating key policy provisions that govern various health programs focusing on integrating the various models of care.
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What was the impact of your initiative on older people, their families, and/or their communities?
The Commission working closely with the Department of Health and with support from WHO – has developed an initial draft of the 2023 -2028 Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens, through a consultative and participatory process. It outlines key strategies and activities to promote healthy ageing and identify how each government agencies can contribute to its attainment. Together with DOH and with support from WHO, NCSC are now developing a national framework for age-friendly environments and implementing age-friendly programs in five local government units (Paranaque, Borongan, Samar, Santa Catalina, Ilocos). Importantly, this framework recognizes that the health sector has a key role to play in optimizing older persons’ mental and physical health and wellbeing so that they can thrive in society and contribute to nation-building. The National Commission of Senior Citizens advocates for laws and policies that will provide job opportunities and better retirement for older people. Along this, we take their overall health and wellbeing seriously. We are currently working with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to provide free medical examination for older people.
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What issues did you face, and how did you address them?
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What lessons did you learn from implementing this initiative?
A whole-of-government and ground-up approach is essential for any government initiative that aims to respond to the needs of its older citizens.
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Do you have any other reflections you would like to share?
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