House panel OKs measure seeking creation of elderly homes in cities, provinces

The House special committee on senior citizens approved on Thursday the measures seeking the creation of elderly care or nursing homes in cities and provinces in the country.

During a virtual panel meeting, several national and local bills were directed to be consolidated as the measures were approved but still subject to styles and amendments.

Ilocos Sur Representative Deogracias Savellano, author of House Bill 9229, said elderly citizens should be accorded with necessary social security by extending them the assistance that will promote their welfare.

"Nakita namin na malaking problema because marami ho sa liblib nating lugar, maraming senior citizens na nagsosolo na sa buhay. May mga iba kung saan-saan na lang nakatira, barong-barong na lang, 'yung pagkain nila, nanggagaling sa kapit-bahay," Savellano said.

(We saw that this is a huge problem because in far-flung areas, a lot of senior citizens are alone in their lives. They have no decent homes and most of the time, their food were only provided by their neighbors.)

Under Savellano's bill, nursing homes should be established in every province which will cater to the needs of abandoned and neglected senior citizens as well as homeless elderlies.

He said the nursing homes should be facilitated by the local government units concerned and maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Meanwhile, Aklan Representative Carlito Marquez's House Bill 6534 is proposing that an elderly care will be established for all senior citizens including those whose family members are financially incapable to provide their needs. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News