PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS GRANTED BY PHILIPPINE LAWS TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS IN CALABARZON SOPHRONIA SOSA-MALABANAN

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1 International Journal of Environment, Ecology, Family and Urban Studies (IJEEFUS) ISSN(P): ; ISSN(E): Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, TJPRC Pvt. Ltd. PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS GRANTED BY PHILIPPINE LAWS TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS IN CALABARZON SOPHRONIA SOSA-MALABANAN Chief, Student Affairs and Services Section, Department of Science / Public Administration, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines ABSTRACT It has been a tradition in the Philippines to give importance, concerned and attention to the elderly members of the family, hence, by the time they reach the age of 60, they are consider as senior citizens. At present, they represent 8.4 % of the total population. However, that number is growing at a faster rate than in many other countries and expected to increase to 18.1 % or exceed 11.1 million by Rapid population, ageing and urbanization will be accompanied by increase needs and demands for mainstreaming older persons in the society, income security, appropriate health care, housing and other social services. The main objective of this study is to assess the privileges and benefits granted by Philippine laws to senior citizens in CALABARZON. The respondents of this study were three hundred ninety one (391) active members of senior citizens listed in Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). The researcher made survey questionnaire to gather the necessary information. Frequency and percentage distributions were used as statistical tools to analyze the collected data. Results revealed that the respondents are aware of their privileges stipulated in the provision of RA 7432 and its extended amendments, that DSWD personnel have their defense measures in confronting the curtailment on privileges availed by senior citizens and programs designed for their empowerment. Recommendations were to enhance the overall awareness on their privileges; to give DSWD greater access to various services which can contribute to their development; institutionalize/ improve programs for the empowerment of the senior citizens. Original Article KEYWORDS: Senior Citizens, OSCA, DSWD Received: Apr 26, 2016; Accepted: May 13, 2016; Published: May 27, 2016; Paper Id.: IJEEFUSJUN20169 INTRODUCTION Old age is the last phase of the human life cycle or the closing period in the life span. It is a period coming from more desirable times of usefulness. Traditional society looked positively at old age and maintained that old is gold, in terms of maturity, experience and wisdom. At present old age is regarded negatively and the common expressions are old and sick, old and frail, old and poor, old and useless which reflect the dependancy and inactiveness of the aged. All these terms indicate that they have lost their capability to be economically and socially productive. In recent years, several terms are being used to describe them in a more positive manner such as senior citizens, elderly, third age individuals, and individuals in the twilight of life. They are the one who possess skills in language, music or painting appears to develop and retain them as they grow older. However, their intellectual performance actually improves with age and when a person grows to maturity, he develops stable value, attitudes and habits. It is estimated that the proportion of persons aged 60 years and older in the world will double between editor@tjprc.org

2 76 Sophronia Sosa-Malabanan 2000 and In 2025, it is projected that 15 percent (%) of the world population will be aged 60 and over. Among the world s population aged 60 years and above, 52 percent (%) live in Asia and the Pacific in 2002, and this is projected to increase to 59 percent (%) in With the growing awareness for the elderly concerns and needs there is a greater demand for them to promote their welfare. The government offers welfare services and passed different laws for their privileges and benefits in Republic Act 7432 with its amendment. However, the effectiveness of such welfare services such as home for the aged can only be confirmed by the level of satisfaction of the intended beneficiaries. This study aims to present these crucial aspects of the situation of the elderly in its attempt to identify the many challenges needed to be addressed and contended within the next century. METHODOLOGY This employed the description research, design to be able to assess the privileges and benefits of senior citizens in region IV-A. The participants of this study were three hundred ninety one (391) active members of senior citizens listed in the OSCA. The researcher made survey questionnaire to gather pertinent data. The survey questionnaire was divided into three (3) parts. Part 1: Awareness of senior citizens for their privileges and benefits based on Republic Act Part 2: Program designed to empower senior citizens. Part 3: Proposed plan of action towards their empowerment. Weighted mean, frequency and percentage were used as statistical tools to analyze the data. Table 1: Awareness of Senior Citizens on their Privileges and Benefits Based on RA 7432 Impact Factor (JCC): NAAS Rating: 3.63

3 Privileges and Benefits Granted by Philippine Laws to the Senior Citizens in Calabarzon 77 Table 1 presents awareness of senior citizens on their privileges and benefits based on RA 7432 undertaking assessed by respondents from provinces Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. Transportation benefits and privilege rank number 1 with an overall mean of In rank 2 with an overall mean of 2.95 was medical and dental privileges; Admission fee privilege with an overall mean of 2.90 was placed in 3; Discounts from establishment and express lane privilege earned over all mean of 2.85 and ranked 4.5. Admission fee placed in ranked 6 with an over all mean of Exemption from training fee earned overall mean of 2.41 and ranked 7 and in the last or ranked 8 with an over all mean of 2.06 was educational privileges. By and large senior citizens were aware of their privileges and benefits stipulated in RA These result imply that the respondents were well-informed, oriented and truly enjoy the availment of discounts mandated in the provisions of the law. Table 2: Defense Measures of DSWD in Curtailment of Senior Citizens Privileges and Benefits Table 2 presents the defense measure of DSWD in curtailment of the privileges and benefits of the senior citizens. Update in issuance of identification card rank 1 with an overall mean of 2.93 with respect to the three provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. This implies that the personnel of DSWD often confront the curtailment of the elders preferably when it comes in updating their identification card. Furthermore, the DSWD personnel give their concern and attention to the senior citizen. In rank 2 with an overall mean of 2.86 was attending to the needs of senior citizen. Orientation about privileges and benefits with an overall mean of 2.69 was placed in 3, and monitor on work program ranked 4 with an overall mean of These results reavealed that personnel of DSWD gave their support to the senior citizens much favorable on their part. By virtue of its monitoring and technical assistance function, DSWD ensure that the standard of the programs and services are implemented. editor@tjprc.org

4 78 Sophronia Sosa-Malabanan Table 3: Programs Designed to Empower Senior Citizen Indicators Cavite Laguna Batangas % R % R % R Overall % Rank 1. Leadership programs Livelihood Program Volunteer Program Social and Self enchancement Healthy life style program Table 3 presents programs to empower senior citizens in the provinces from Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. Healthy lifestyle program ranked 1 with an overall percentage which indicates that they want to have more programs about healthy lifesytle to become more active in performing their activities and duties in the organization. Leadership program with an overall percentage of ranked 2. This simply implies that they enhance their social functioning. In rank 3 with an overall percentage of was the program in livelihood where senior citizens can propagate their income generating endeavors. Social and self-enhancement program with an overall percentage of ranked 4 and with an overall percentage of was volunteer program and ranked 5. This revealed that they want to spare their expertise time and resources to others. Furthermore, elderly could facilitate program enhancement where they can have the opportunities to cooperate in community services such as value formation, environmental concerns, and peer support group like friendly visit to co-seniors. Hence, all the programs designed would give greater access to various services that can contribute to their development as well. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the gathered data, the following conclusions are drawned: The senior citizen respondents from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas are aware of most of their privileges and benefits embodied on Republic Act However, they are moderately aware of their privileges on exemption from fees and education. There is a need to intensify more of their knowledge regarding this matter. The DSWD local government personnel do their part in confronting the curtailment of the benefits of the senior citizens from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. Through regular monitoring and assistance, they assure that the programs and services mandated in the law are being implemented. The programs which alleviate most for the empowerment of the senior citizens from the above mentioned provinces is their healthy lifestyle. This is an indication that they are healthy and want to become more active in performing their activities and duties in the organization. From the Drawn Conclusion, the Following Recommendations are Made The concerned local government units have to conduct through the Office of Senior Citizens Affair (OSFA), regular meetings, seminar and re-orientation about the privileges and benefits of the senior citizens stipulated in RA 7432 and its amendments. Furthermore, consultations could be periodically done to enhance the senior citizens knowledge about the said privileges and benefits. The DSWD local government personnel could attend seminars and trainings so that they can be updated on handling issues on the curtailment of the privileges and benefits of the senior citizens. Moreover, they could work programs in pursuance to the objective of the act. Impact Factor (JCC): NAAS Rating: 3.63

5 Privileges and Benefits Granted by Philippine Laws to the Senior Citizens in Calabarzon 79 Extra efforts in monitoring and system of reporting to the concerned authority National Monitoring and Coordination Board (NMCB) through OSCA could be developed towards efficiency, consistency and uniform implementation of law. Furthermore, trainings and other capacity programs for the senior citizens could be designed by the NMCB like leadership, given emphasis program, livelihood program, volunteer program, and social and self-enhancement program, for them to maximize their privileges and benefits, so as to boost their empowerment. REFERENCES 1. Anderson, James W. (2009). Anti-Aging Health Program. New Jersey : New Age International Limited 2. Breecher, Maury M. PhD. (2009). Live Longer Better. New York. Carroll and Graf Inc. 3. Chen, Sheying (2012). Aging in China. Implication to social Policy of a Changing Economic State. New York U.S.A. 4. Gorman, Robert E. And Allyn I. Freeman (2008). Reworking Retirement, A Practical Guide for Retirees Returning to the Workplace. U.S.A; F+W Publication. 5. Li, B. Z Chen S. (2010). Aging Living Arrangement, and Housing in China. Aging International, 35 (4). 6. Newstrom, John W. (2007). Organizational Behavior-Human Behavior at Work. Philippines: McGraw-Hill Inc. 7. Pappathi, K. (2007). Aging: Scientific Perspective and Social Issues, New Delhi : Sterling Publisher Private limited 8. Pritchard, Robert E. (2011). Senior Citizens, Social Security and Health Care Costs. Journal of Business and Economic Research 9. Ramirez, Luzviminda F. And Eden T. Beltran (2004). Man, Values and Work Ethics. Bulacan: Trinitas Publishing, Inc. 10. Xianghuan (2005). The Senior Citizens Association. New York: Alacra Store. D and B Publisher. editor@tjprc.org

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