CPD pushes online literacy, upskilling programs for senior citizens

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is pushing for programs that will help senior citizens learn new skills after retirement and become more familiar with technology and the internet.

The CPD said it will hold a national consultation on Tuesday with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to discuss policies aimed at improving the welfare of older persons in the Philippines.

“Dumadami na ang ating older persons o senior citizens, at kailangan mapag-usapan kung ano ang mga polisiya na ginagawa natin para sa kanila at kung ano pa ang kulang na kailangang gawin,” CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace Bersales said in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(The number of older persons or senior citizens is increasing, and we need to discuss the policies being implemented for them, as well as what else still needs to be done.)

Among the proposals being considered is a program that would help elderly Filipinos learn how to use online technologies, as more government services shift to paperless and digital platforms.

“Ang isa ko pong naiisip ay ang epekto ng digitalization sa mga older persons. Baka kailangan nating magbigay ng serbisyo para maturuan sila kung paano umiwas sa scam at kung paano matutong mag-online, dahil sa kalaunan ang gobyerno ay magiging paperless at contactless,” Bersales said.

(One thing I’ve been thinking about is the effect of digitalization on older persons. We may need to provide services to teach them how to avoid scams and how to go online, as the government eventually becomes paperless and contactless.)

The CPD is also considering coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to support the upskilling of retired senior citizens.

“Gusto rin naming kausapin ang TESDA dahil isinusulong natin ang lifelong learning. Kailangan nating malaman kung anong mga skills pa ang maaaring maibigay sa senior citizens para manatili silang aktibo. Kahit nag-retire na sila, baka may maaari pa silang pagkakitaan,” Bersales said.

(We also want to talk to TESDA because we are promoting lifelong learning. We need to identify skills that can help senior citizens remain active and possibly earn income even after retirement.)

However, the CPD noted that population aging in the Philippines remains slower compared to other Asian countries.

“Tuwing limang taon ay dumadami ang ating mga older persons, partikular iyong 65 pataas. Hindi lang senior citizens ang tinitingnan natin dito kundi iyong 65 and above,” Bersales said.

(Every five years, the number of older persons—those aged 65 and above—continues to increase.)

“Pero hindi naman tayo kasing bilis tumanda kumpara sa Thailand at Japan. Mas mabagal pa rin tayo kumpara sa kanila,” she added.

(But our population is not aging as fast as that of Thailand and Japan.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News