FORMAT OF A RESEARCH PAPER

PRELIMINARIES :
Title Page: Study of Socio Economic Condition of Senior Citizen in Sta. Mesa, Manila
and Possible program that can help them in Achieving fuller life.
Table of Contents
List of Tables (if any)
List of Figures (if any)

CHAPTER 1 PROBLEMS AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction

In the face of changing times and greater emphasis on high productivity, there
seems to be a tendency to regard senior citizens as unproductive and generally as
burden to others. Although it is not obligatory for those under 60 or 65 years old to
leave the work force because of mandatory requirements, they are usually seen as
ineffective or unprepared to handle new tasks brought about by modernization and
technology. They are also victims of outright discrimination when seeking work
because employers prefer younger persons.

The most serious difficulties from which the senior citizens suffer are economic in
nature. Because of reduced income or lack of it, a high percentage of senior citizens
are living near or below the poverty level. Retirement plans are generally
inadequate and inflation becomes their serious problem.

Senior Citizens are a vital part of society, Senior citizen is a common euphemism for an
elderly person, and this in turn usually implies or in fact means that the person is over the
retirement age, which varies according to country. It is used in general usage instead of
traditional terms such as old person, old-age pensioner, or elderly as a courtesy and to
signify continuing relevance of and respect for this population group as "citizens" of
society, of senior rank. The term was apparently coined in 1938 during a political
campaign. It has come into widespread use in recent decades in legislation, commerce,
and common speech. Especially in less formal contexts, it is often abbreviated as
"senior(s)", which is also used as an adjective.
Although there is a large body of research and numerous publications focusing on
disabled, marginalized or dependent people, few studies have explored the issue of senior
citizens or retired people who capably manage their lives, and whose health problems are
only those that typically accompany the ageing process. These people fall between the
ages of 65 and 80 or even older as health conditions are improving.
The ageing process can be critical in any individual because it involves major changes.
These changes and the loss of control are the main factors that jeopardize individuals'
quality of life, particularly when they are unpredictable and people are unprepared for
them. There are changes in work (retirement), family, society, our bodies, and health
related problems that require adjustments to the perceptions and structures of our lives.
All of these are psychological, physical and social challenges that can lead to a poor
quality of life if the individual does not deal with them in the right way.

On the other hand, this stage of life offers the chance to grasp new opportunities because
people generally have more time to participate in social activities. Senior citizens also
have a wealth of life experience that should not be lost or wasted. Society can benefit
from seniors with good quality of life, not only because of their increased social
participation, but also through lower social and health service expenditure.

This concern over the plight of the senior citizens is an aftermath of the increasing
number of older persons 60 years old and above. Although still a young population
compared with other age groups, the National Statistics Office (NSO) has reported a
notable increase in their number. Based on its March 18, 2005 Special Release, the total
number of senior citizens 60 years old and above has reached 4.6 million, accounting for
5.97 percent of the countrys population of 76.5 million. It means a 22.18 percent
increase from 1995 (3.7 million persons) and an average annual population growth rate of
4.39 percent during the 1995 to 2000 period. If this growth rate continues, the number of
senior citizens is expected to reach seven million in 2010 and to double in approximately
16 years (NSO, 2005). Such scenario may result to having the young old (60-69 years
old) taking care of the old-old (70-79 years old).


Many of the retired senior citizens continue to work in both formal and informal labor
sectors according to their capacities and preferences. Studies conducted show retirees
who are employed fulltime with an average of 40 hours per week (Cabigon, 1996 and
NSO, 2005). These are indications that the senior citizens are still capable of productive
endeavors.


Statement of the Problem:

Seriously, senior citizens constitute an important sector of any society. They work as
judges and justices, senators and congressmen, full professors in universities and
colleges, school principals, lay leaders in churches, and of course, lolos and lolas to em
cute little rascals! But there are also many of them living in nursing homes, sick in
hospitals, begging on the streets, even wandering thru life by their lonesome selves.
Cognizant of this, Republic Act (RA) 8425, or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation
Act, included them as one of the basic (or disadvantaged) sectors in Philippine society.

In the light of our ageing population and the vulnerability of our senior citizens, let us ask
ourselves, Is someone looking after them? Is government doing enough to look after
them?

In 2015, there will be 8.8% or more than 8.72 million Filipino senior citizens. At 2050,
the Philippines will be ranked No. 10 as the most populous country in the world*2. It will
continuously increase in a very fast phase, making it as a challenge that will left the
country unprepared to respond to this occurrences that would threatened its strong
familial relationship and unforeseen impact to its culture, society and economy.

So thus, this study is conducted to convey programs in uplifting the status of Senior
Citizen in Sta. Mesa and that can be extend to other Aging Filipino in preparation of their
growing population in our society, so they would be a affirmative factor in our economy
despite of their ages instead of looking them as an affliction .

The following are the objectives of this study:

1. To Describe the Socio- demographic Profile of Senior Citizen In Sta. Mesa, Manila
2. To Describe the Economic or Financial Status of Senior Citizen in Sta. Mesa, Manila
3. To Address Socio-Economic Problems arising in Senior Citizen of Sta. Mesa, Manila
4. To Recognize the Government Initiative program for Senior Citizen in Sta. Mesa,
Manila.
5. Finally, to formulate or make a possible progam with regards to their Socio-
Economic Status to make their lives Prolific and Improved.

Hypothesis (if any, depending on the nature of the problem)


Scope and Limitations of the Study

Research was conducted in different Barangay in Sta. Mesa, Manila particularly
Barangay 587,587-A, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600,
601,602,603,604,605,606,607,608,609,610,612,613,614,615,616,617,618,619,620,
621, 622,623,624,625,626,627,628,629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, and 636 total of 51
Barangays composing of male and female Aging Filipino in Sta. Mesa, Manila.


The survey is to be distributed in paper form by members of research team noted by
Office of the Senior Citizen in Manila City Hall. The survey period open on 25
September 2014 and closed on 15 October 2014. At the end of the survey period, more
or less 500 paper surveys should be completed, making a total of 500 responses, which
will be analyze through graph and table representation for better analysis.


Significance of the Study

In the Official Poverty Statistics for the Basic Sectors*1 compiled by the National
Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), senior citizens consistently posted the 6th highest
(or 3rd lowest) poverty incidence among the eight basic sectors in the Philippines with
15.1% in 2003 and 16.2% in 2006.

In Manila alone there are a total of 60, 758 Senior Citizen based on the Table 1.
Household Population by Age Group and Sex by City/Municipality: National Capital
Region, 2010 of Philippine Statics Authority.

*National Statistics Office

The responsibility of taking care of the lolos and lolas rests with all of us the
politicians, the government, the private sector, the immediate families, and the
community. To be able to provide and serve better our young once, concerned
institutions should further improve their programs of support. And just as importantly,
we should share our information systems on senior citizens with lower levels of
disaggregation (e.g., geographic, by sex, etc.), towards evidence-based decision-making.

Also, both national and local governments can design new/innovative programs and
projects that benefit our senior citizens. Aside from the discounts and monthly pensions
they receive, the government as well as the community may consider another program to
make our Senior Citizen, particularly in Sta. Mesa, Manila more operative and
progressive.


Definition of terms

Senior Citizen / Aging
-Persons 60 years old and above as defined by Republic Act No. 9994 or The Expanded
Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Barangay
- is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term
for a village

NSCB
-National Statistics Coordination Board is the , is the policy-making and coordinating
agency on statistical matters in the Philippines created under Executive Order No. 121
issued on January 30, 1987. Its objective is to develop an orderly Philippine Statistical
System (PSS) that is capable of providing timely, accurate, relevant, and useful data for
the government and the public for planning and decision-making.

Retired
- withdrawn from or no longer occupied with one's business or profession, usually
Senior Citizen


Poverty
- contextually as economic inequality in the location or society in which people live.

Prolific
- it could be productive, rich, producing abundant works or results

Society
-

Demographic
- are the quantifiable statistics of a given population
Respondents
- A person against whom an action is brought

Government
- the governing body of a nation, state, or community

Health
- the state of being free from illness or injury

Economic
-justified in terms of profitability

Financial
- monetary, money, economic, pecuniary, fiscal, banking, commercial, business

Geriatric
- an old person, especially one receiving special care.

R.A.
- Republic Act






Theoretical Framework
Socio
Demographic
Profile Of SC
Age
Gender
Civil Status
Educational Attainment
Living Arrangement
Occupation Upon Retirement
Head of The Family
Healt Status and
Physical Well
Being of SC
Smoking Pattern
Drinking Pattern
Health Status
Medical Facilty Used
Perceived Health Assesment
Leisure Activities
Economic or
Financial
Activities of SC
Employment Status
Type of Employment
Monthly Income of Employed
Monthly Pension of Retirees
Work Plans and Preferences of Unemployed and Retirees
Identified
Socio-Economic
Problems

Government
Initiative
Program


Recommended
Program


Conceptual Framework



CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Foreign Literature

According to Social Roles in Later Life of Jones and Barlett Publishers, Most Western
societies, including the United States and western Europe, stress individualism (that is,
the needs of the individual are addressed before the needs of the group).Other cultures,
such as those in Asia and the Pacific Islands, are collectivist societies; that is, members
place the needs of the family or collective group (which maybe an intergenerational
family) before the needs of the individual. Differences between individual and collective
Senior Citizen of Sta. Mesa,
Manila
Conduct Survey of Socio
Demographic Profile, Health
Status and Financial Activities
Evaluation and Identification of
Socio Economic Problem
Formulation of
Recommendation
perspectives naturally inform how groups perceive older adults and place responsibility
for providing care and support. Understanding how groups differ can assist in the
planning and provision of effective health care services, no matter where the care is
provided.

In an individualistic society, older adults are generally free to remain living
independently and managing life as they see fit as long as they can afford it and they are
not placing themselves or others in immediate danger. In a collectivist society, the
resources of the older adults are pooled with other family resources. The activities of
daily life are shared rather than lived separately. As a result living expenses are reduced
because the older adult lives with other family members.

In Africa, it is often believed that traditions of respect mean that all older people are well
supported. This is not always the case. Older people are abused socially, physically,
sexually, economically and psychologically. Their basic human rights such as the right to
life and liberty, the right to work and the right to freedom from discrimination are
violated. Older people are abused by family and community members and are accused of
everything from witchcraft to preventing or causing too much rain for which they are
tortured and assaulted. Economically they suffer as their assets are stolen and financial
institutions refuse credit and other services. Age based discrimination is pervasive and
prevents older people from accessing basic rights such as adequate health care and legal
protection.

Before the industrial revolution, retirement as a phase of life did not exist. Individuals
worked until they became either disabled or too infirm to do otherwise. They generally
died shortly afterward. If they did live a long life, they were usually supported by family
or by some charitable organization such as the local church. It was only in 1889 that
Chancellor Bismarck of Germany established retirement for individuals reaching age 65.
He chose the age of 65 as the beginning of retirement by adding 20 years to the then
normal life expectancy of 45 years. Other European countries soon followed with similar
retirement systems. In 1935, the United States was the first country to establish a
nationalized pension system for people age 65 and older (Social Security).*16 Since then,
other countries have followed suit, and today most offer a national pension to adults age
65 and older. Variations in age of eligibility range about 5 years with most notable
differences between males and females.*17

Until 1967, retirement was compulsory for workers in the United States who reached age
65, regardless of their health status or abilities. Here again we see another myth of aging
that implies there is a general loss of ability that begins occurring around age 65 or
earlier. However, in adults who are aging typically, there exists no sudden or general loss
of ability at age 65 or at any other age.*9 Any losses that may occur generally do so
gradually over many years. Even some disorders considered inevitable as we age (such as
visual and hearing impairments) are now reversible or amenable to treatment. Because of
better health status, todays retirees can potentially spend 20 or more years in
retirement.*17

Older adults, like most groups of individuals, are incredibly diverse. Ken Dychtwald,
President of Age Wave Inc., states, No age group is more varied in personal
background, physical abilities, personal styles, social needs, or financial capabilities than
todays older population. While some older people are dreadfully sick and waiting for
death, some are fit and training for marathons. Some wait in breadlines for a warm meal.
Others have condos in Vail and yachts in Tahiti.*18 Additionally, many continue
working in the same or some new capacity, even after reaching retirement age. In sum,
retirement is a stage of life that only begins with a change in employment status.

The Madrid Plan

2012 marked ten years since the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on
Ageing (MIPAA), a comprehensive action plan for governments and civil society,
amongst other groups, for building a society for all ages. MIPAA is the first global
agreement which recognizes older people as contributors to the development of their
societies, and which commits governments to including ageing in all social and economic
development policies, including poverty reduction program.

It also calls for governments to include older people in policies and programmes to reach
the Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people living in extreme
poverty by 2015.

It was agreed upon by 159 governments but is not legally binding and its implementation
is voluntary.

Improving older people's lives

The Madrid Plan makes recommendations on core issues which can improve older
people's lives. These include:

Discrimination and decision making

Governments should promote the implementation of human rights conventions and other
human rights instruments.

Work and pensions

Older people should be enabled to work for as long as they want to and can do so.

Health

Older people should have the same access to preventive and curative care and
rehabilitation as other groups.

Supportive environments

Older people should have access to decent housing, receive support if they are care givers
and be free from neglect, abuse and violence.




Local Literature

The Philippine Government is one of the signatory to the Madrid International Plan of
Action for Older Persons and also in the forefront in the conceptualization and
ratification of the previous international plans (e.g. Macau Plan of Action for Older
Person 1998 and Shanghai Implementation Strategy 2002). The Philippine constitution
recognizes the positive role of older citizens in our society; encouraging them to
contribute to nation building and to develop community organization as well as providing
support to NGOs working for the older citizens.

The salient features of the law are the provision of privileges in the form of discount in
the purchasing of medicines and basic commodities for the personal enjoyment of the
senior citizen (i.e. movies house, recreational places and etc) and establishments of the
Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to be headed by a senior citizen. It is
mandated to fully implement the provisions and serves as link of the senior citizen and
Senior Citizens Organizations (SCOs) to its local government.

It is the duty of the family to take care of its older person members while the State may
design program of social security for them.*3



REPUBLIC ACT NO. 925 - AN ACT AMENDING ACT NUMBERED THIRTY-
TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE
EXPORTATION TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF SEEDS OF ABACA AND ITS
DERIVATIVES" *4



Section 1. The title and sections one and two Act Numbered Thirty-two hundred fifty-
one are amended to read as follows:

"An Act to prohibit the exportation of seeds, seedlings, suckers, or rootstocks of abaca.

"Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, or association to export
seeds, seedlings, suckers, or rootstocks of the plant commonly known as "abaca".

"Sec. 2. Violations of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two
months nor more than two years, or a fine of not less than one hundred pesos nor more
than twenty thousand, or both, in the discretion of the court, and the seeds, seedlings,
suckers, or rootstocks which it is attempted to export shall be forfeited to the
Government: Provided, That if the offenders are foreigners, they shall be fined twenty
thousand pesos and deported immediately."

Sec. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.


REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7876- AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SENIOR CITIZENS
CENTER IN ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE. *5

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the
"Senior Citizens Center Act of the Philippines."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to provide adequate
social services and an improved quality of
life for all. For this purpose, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach towards health development giving priority to elderly among others.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. (a) "Senior citizens," as used in this Act, shall refer to any
person who is at least sixty (60) years of age.(b) "Center," as used in this Act, refers to
the place established by this Act with recreational, educational, health and social
programs and facilities designed for the full enjoyment and benefit of the senior citizens
in the city or municipality.

Sec. 4. Establishment of Centers. There is hereby established a senior citizens center,
hereinafter referred to as the Center, in every city and municipality of the Philippines,
under direct supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development,
hereinafter referred to as the Department, in collaboration with the local government unit
concerned.

Sec. 5. Functions of the Centers. The centers are extensions of the fourteen (14)
regional offices of the Department. They shall carry out the following functions :( a)
Identify the needs, trainings, and opportunities of senior citizens in the cities and
municipalities;
(b) Initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior
citizens in order to provide income or otherwise supplement their earnings in the local
community ;( c) Promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and
other instrumentalities of government and the city and municipal councils for the elderly
and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non-
government organizations for the delivery of health care services, facilities, professional
advice services, volunteer training and community self-help projects; and (d) To exercise
such other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the centers
are established.

Sec. 6. Center Workers. The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) may designate social workers from the Department as the workers
of the centers: Provided, however, that the Secretary may appoint other personnel who
possess the necessary professional qualifications to work efficiently with the elderly of
the community. The Secretary may also call upon private volunteers who are responsible
members of the community to provide medical, educational and other services and
facilities for the senior citizens.

Sec. 7. Qualification/Disqualification. A senior citizen who suffers from a contagious
disease, or who is mentally unfit or unsound or whose actuations are inimical to other
senior citizens as determined by the DSWD on the basis of an appropriate certification by
a qualified government or private volunteer physician, may be denied the benefits
provided in the Center. However, the center shall refer the senior citizen concerned to the
appropriate government agency for the needed medical care or confinement.

Sec. 8. Exemptions of the Center. The Center shall be exempted from the payment of
customs duties, taxes and tariffs on the importation of equipment and supplies used
actually, directly and exclusively by the Center pursuant to this Act,including those
donated to the Center.

Sec. 9. Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act,
the DSWD, in coordination with other government agencies concerned, shall issue the
rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. Any violation of
this section shall render the concerned official(s) liable under Republic Act No. 6713,
otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees" and other existing administrative and/or criminal laws.

Sec. 10. Coordination of Government Agencies. The DSWD, in coordination with the
Department of Health and other government agencies and local government units, shall
assist in the effective implementation of this Act and provide the necessary support
services.

Sec. 11. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment
into law and every year thereafter. The sum necessary for the continuous operation of the
centers shall be subsidized in part by the DSWD and in part by the local government
units concerned.

Sec. 12. Repealing or Amending Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules
and regulations, which are not consistent with this Act, are hereby modified, amended or
repealed accordingly.

Sec. 13. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved:
February 14, 1995


Expanded senior citizens act of 2010 On February 15, 2010, Republic Act No. 9994,
or the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010", took effect. *6

It introduced various amendments to Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic
Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003".

The new senior citizens law of the Philippines aims to give flesh to the "social justice
clause" of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. (See Secs. 10-11, Art. III [state policies];
Sec. 11, Art. XIII [healthcare, social services]; Sec. 4, Art. XV [family, social security])

A senior citizen or elderly refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty
(60) years old.

Under the new law, senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:

(a) The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value -added tax
(VAT), if applicable, on the sale of the following goods and services from all
establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the senior citizen

(1) on the purchase of medicines, including the purchase of influenza and pnuemococcal
vaccines, and such other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment to be
determined by the Department of Health (DOH).

(2) on the professional fees of attending physician/s in all private hospitals, medical
facilities, outpatient clinics and home health care services;

(3) on the professional fees of licensed professional health providing home health care
services as endorsed by private hospitals or employed through home health care
employment agencies;

(4) on medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all private hospitals,
medical facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health care services, in accordance with
the rules and regulations to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);

(5) in actual fare for land transportation travel in public utility buses (PUBs), public
utility jeepneys (PUJs), taxis, Asian utility vehicles (AUVs), shuttle services and public
railways, including Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rail Transit (MRT), and Philippine
National Railways (PNR);

(6) In actual transportation fare for domestic air transport services and sea shipping
vessels and the like, based on the actual fare and advanced booking;

(7) On the utilization of services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants
and recreation centers;

(8) On admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses and concert halls, circuses,
leisure and amusement; and

(9) On funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens;

(b) Exemption from the payment of individual income taxes of senior citizens who are
considered to be minimum wage earners in accordance with Republic Act No. 9504;

(c) The grant of a minimum of five percent (5%) discount relative to the monthly
utilization of water and electricity supplied by the public utilities: Provided, That the
individual meters for the foregoing utilities are registered in the name of the senior citizen
residing therein: Provided, further, That the monthly consumption does not exceed one
hundred kilowatt hours (100 kWh) of electricity and thirty cubic meters (30 m3) of water:
Provided, furthermore, That the privilege is granted per household regardless of the
number of senior citizens residing therein;

(d) Exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs;

(e) Free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not
limited to, x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, in all government
facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in coordination with the
PhilHealth;

(f) The DOH shall administer free vaccination against the influenza virus and
pneumococcal disease for indigent senior citizen patients;

(g) Educational assistance to senior citizens to pursue post-secondary, tertiary, post
tertiary, vocational and technical education, as well as short-term courses for retooling in
both public and private schools through provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids,
subsides and other incentives to qualified senior citizens, including support for books,
learning materials, and uniform allowances, to the extent feasible: Provided, That senior
citizens shall meet minimum admission requirements;

(h) To the extent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the same benefits and
privileges given by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Social
Security System (SSS) and the PAG-IBIG, as the case may be, as are enjoyed by those in
actual service;

(i) Retirement benefits of retirees from both the government and the private sector shall
be regularly reviewed to ensure their continuing responsiveness and sustainability, and to
the extent practicable and feasible, shall be upgraded to be at par with the current scale
enjoyed by those in actual service;

(j) To the extent possible, the government may grant special discounts in special
programs for senior citizens on purchase of basic commodities, subject to the guidelines
to be issued for the purpose by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the
Department of Agriculture (DA);

(k) Provision of express lanes for senior citizens in all commercial and government
establishments; in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them; and

(l) Death benefit assistance of a minimum of Two thousand pesos (Php2, 000.00) shall be
given to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizen which amount shall be
subject to adjustments due to inflation in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by
the DSWD.

In the purchase of goods and services which are on promotional discount, the senior
citizen can avail of the promotional discount or the discount provided in the new law,
whichever is higher.

The establishment may claim the discounts granted in the new law as tax deductions
based on the cost of the goods sold or services rendered: Provided, That the cost of the
discount shall be allowed as deduction from gross income for the same taxable year that
the discount is granted: Provided, further, That the total amount of the claimed tax
deduction net of VAT, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipts for tax
purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the
National Internal Revenue Code (NICR), as amended."

Senior citizens who have the capacity and desire to work, or be re-employed, shall be
provided information and matching services to enable them to be productive members of
society. Terms of employment shall conform with the provisions of the Labor Code, as
amended, and other laws, rules and regulations.

Private entities that will employ senior citizens as employees shall be entitled to an
additional deduction from their gross income, equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the
total amount paid as salaries and wages to senior citizens, subject to the provision of
Section 34 of the NIRC, as amended: Provided, however, That such employment shall
continue for a period of at least six (6) months: Provided, further, That the annual income
of the senior citizen does not exceed the latest poverty threshold as determined by the
National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) for that year.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with other
government agencies such as, but not limited to, the Technology and Livelihood
Resource Center (TLRC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall assess,
design and implement training programs that will provide skills and welfare or livelihood
support for senior citizens.

The Department of Education (DepED), the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in consultation
with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) for senior
citizens, shall institute programs that will ensure access to formal and nonformal
education.

The DOH, in coordination with local government units (LGUs), NGOs and POs for
senior citizens, shall institute a national health program and shall provide an integrated
health service for senior citizens. It shall train community-based health workers among
senior citizens and health personnel to specialize in the geriatric care and health problems
of senior citizens.

At least fifty percent (50%) discount shall be granted on the consumption of electricity,
water, and telephone by the senior citizens center and residential care/group homes that
are government-run or non-stock, non-profit domestic corporation organized and
operated primarily for the purpose of promoting the well-being of abandoned, neglected,
unattached, or homeless senior citizens, subject to the guidelines formulated by the
DSWD.

"The government shall provide incentives to individuals or nongovernmental institution
caring for or establishing homes, residential communities or retirement villages solely
for, senior citizens, as follows:

(1) Realty tax holiday for the first five (5) years starting from the first year of operation;
and

(2) Priority in the construction or maintenance of provincial or municipal roads leading to
the aforesaid home, residential community or retirement village.

Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to Five hundred
pesos (Php500.00) to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior
citizens, subject to a review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the
DSWD.

All indigent senior citizens shall be covered by the national health insurance program of
PhilHealth. The LGUs where the indigent senior citizens resides shall allocate the
necessary funds to ensure the enrollment of their indigent senior citizens in accordance
with the pertinent laws and regulations.

Social safety assistance intended to cushion the effects of economics shocks, disasters
and calamities shall be available for senior citizens. The social safety assistance which
shall include, but not limited to, food, medicines, and financial assistance for domicile
repair, shall be sourced from the disaster/calamity funds of LGUs where the senior
citizens reside, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the DSWD.

An. Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) shall be established in all cities and
municipalities to be headed by a senior citizen who shall be appointed by the mayor for a
term of three (3) years without reappointment but without prejudice to an extension if
exigency so requires. Said appointee shall be chosen from a list of three (3) nominees as
recommended by a general assembly of senior citizens organizations in the city or
municipality.

The head of the OSCA shall be assisted by the City Social Welfare and Development
officer or by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, in coordination
with the Social Welfare and Development Office.

The Office of the Mayor shall exercise supervision over the OSCA relative to their plans,
activities and programs for senior citizens. The OSCA shall work together and establish
linkages with accredited NGOs Pos and the barangays in their respective areas.

The penalty clause of the new law provides, thus:

"SEC. 10. Penalties. - Any person who refuses to honor the senior citizen card issued by
this the government or violates any provision of this Act shall suffer the following
penalties:

"(a) For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than
six (6) years and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not
exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00);

"(b) For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not
more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than One Hundred thousand pesos
(Php100,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000.00); and

"(c) Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand
pesos (Php50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00).

"If the offender is a corporation, partnership, organization or any similar entity, the
officials thereof directly involved such as the president, general manager, managing
partner, or such other officer charged with the management of the business affairs shall
be liable therefor.

"If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, he/she shall be deported immediately after
service of sentence.

"Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper
authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to
operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any person, establishment or
business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act."


Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the law, the Secretary of the DSWD shall
formulate and adopt amendments to the existing rules and regulations implementing
Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257, to carry out the
objectives of the law, in consultation with the Department of Finance, the Department of
Tourism, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), the
DOLE, the DOJ, the DILG, the DTI, the DOH, the DOTC, the NEDA, the DepED, the
TESDA, the CHED, and five (5) NGOs or POs for the senior citizens duly accredited by
the DSWD. The guidelines pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) shall be established by the DOH
within sixty (60) days upon the effectivity of this Act.


Addendum; Definitions:

Geriatrics refer to the branch of medical science devoted to the study of the biological
and physical changes and the diseases of old age;

Lodging establishment refers to a building, edifice, structure, apartment or house
including tourist inn, apartelle, motorist hotel, and pension house engaged in catering,
leasing or providing facilities to transients, tourists or travelers;

Medical Services refer to hospital services, professional services of physicians and other
health care professionals and diagnostics and laboratory tests that the necessary for the
diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury;

Dental services to oral examination, cleaning, permanent and temporary filling,
extractions and gum treatments, restoration, replacement or repositioning of teeth, or
alteration of the alveolar or periodontium process of the maxilla and the mandible that are
necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury;

Nearest surviving relative refers to the legal spouse who survives the deceased senior
citizen: Provided, That where no spouse survives the decedent, this shall be limited to
relatives in the following order of degree of kinship: children, parents, siblings,
grandparents, grandchildren, uncles and aunts;

Home health care service refers to health or supportive care provided to the senior citizen
patient at home by licensed health care professionals to include, but not limited to,
physicians, nurses, midwives, physical therapist and caregivers; and

Indigent senior citizen, refers to any elderly who is frail, sickly or with disability, and
without pension or permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance
from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, as determined by the Department of
Social Welfare and development (DSWD) in consultation with the National Coordinating
and Monitoring Board."

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Foreign Studies

Throughout history, older adults have been generally valued for the experience, insight,
and wisdom they can share with others. Leadership is frequently bestowed upon older
adults because of a social belief that wisdom and experience are acquired over time.
However, conferring respect and responsibilities to older adults has not always been
consistent. It tends to occur more in preindustrial or agrarian societies where families are
intergenerational and members are dependent on one another for survival and support.
For example, in 2004, hours before a tsunami in the Indian Ocean reached the shore,
villagers from small fishing communities followed the leadership of their village elders
and fled to safety. The suggestions of the elders were followed because the elders held
the respect of the others and possessed the ability to interpret environmental cues that
signaled impending danger, cues that were passed down to them from village elders long
ago.*7

In industrial societies, older adults are generally less valued than they are in agrarian
societies. During the 20th century, as industrialization in the United States expanded,
family members became less dependent on each other for support, frequently leaving
older adults to manage for themselves, many in poverty. In 1964, President Johnson
launched the War on Poverty, which fought for the development of rights, opportunities,
and social services for all poor Americans to help lift them out of poverty. From this
initiative, the Older Americans Act(OAA) of 1965 was passed into legislation
specifically to address the needs and rights of older adults. The OAA continues to be
reauthorized and is expected to be reauthorized indefinitely. It is one piece of legislation
that represents the United States commitment to promoting the rights and welfare of
older adults.

Ageist attitudes permeate all facets of society, especially when money is involved.
Negative connotations about older adults being greedy geezers first surfaced in a
March 1988 issue of the magazine The New Republic. In that issue, older adults were
described as wealthy with financial and social advantages, yet eager to siphon public
money (i.e.,Social Security) that should be dedicated to poor and needy children.*8

MYTHS ABOUT AGING
Older adults are not homogenous. They do not all look, think, or act alike. Older adults
are as unique as younger adults are. Therefore, making blanket assumptions and
generalizations about older adults based on knowledge about a few perpetuates myths.

Following are some examples of myths that continue to promote ageism. Although the
statements may be accurate for some individuals, they are not true for all older adults
*7,9:

Myth 1
: Older adults are either very rich or very poor.
Myth 2
: Older adults are senile (have defective memory or are disoriented or demented).
Myth 3
: Older adults are neither interested in nor have the capacity for sexual
relations.
Myth 4
: Older adults are miserable and unhappy with the state of their lives.
Myth 5
: Older adults are very religious.
Myth 6
: Older adults are unable to adapt to change.
Myth 7
: Older adults are unable to learn new things.
Myth 8
: Older adults generally want to live in nursing homes.
Myth 9
: Older adults urinate on their clothing.
Myth 10
: Older adults tend to be pretty much alike.

In India, when an aging parent joins a younger household, he or she is welcomed as a
member of the household. Even though the household may not have planned to include
the older adult, the family members willingly make accommodations for the aging family
member.*10 In a Filipino household, the youngest daughter is expected to care for the
older adult at home until she married, and then the older adult moves with her to her
husbands home.*11

Some ethnic groups revere elders as authority figures who reside in positions of power
within the family and community. Other ethnic groups take an almost opposite view and
see older adults in terms of added responsibility, if not burden, to family and society.

The social role of the older adult within the household varies according to the societys
views. In Vietnamese culture, a grandparent shares household authority with the father of
the household. His or her place in the family is highly regarded.*12 In contrast, in the
old Athabascan Indian culture in Alaska, older adults were seen as burdensa drain on
food and resources in the harsh and demanding climate. Older adults were expected to
contribute as much as possible until the day came when the chief of the tribe would leave
them to die in the wilderness in an effort to preserve resources for the healthy and strong
members of the tribe.*13

Family life and a respect for the knowledge and wisdom of the elder are central to Asian
culture. This has, however, decreased somewhat in the Asian American population with
modernization and assimilation into American society. However, Asian cultures remain
strongly collectivistic and believe family life is central to their existence.
*14,15


Local Studies
According to the study conducted by Ms. Nimfa Ogena of University of Philippines
Population Institute,
Synthesis of the Reviewed Literature and Studies

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Method of Research to be Used
Population, Sample Size, and Sampling Technique
Description of Respondents (if any)
Research Instrument
Data-Gathering Procedure
Statistical Treatment of Data


Questionaire

1. WHY sTUYDY aBOUT sENIOR CITIZEN

* tHIS STUDY IS CONDUCTED BECAUSE - (iNTRODUCTION)

In the face of changing times and greater emphasis on high productivity, there seems to be
a tendency to regard senior citizens as unproductive and generally as burden to others.
Although it is not obligatory for those under 60 or 65 years old to leave the work force
because of mandatory requirements, they are usually seen as ineffective or unprepared to
handle new tasks brought about by modernization and technology. They are also victims of
outright discrimination when seeking work because employers prefer younger persons.

The most serious difficulties from which the senior citizens suffer are economic in nature.
Because of reduced income or lack of it, a high percentage of senior citizens are living near
or below the poverty level. Retirement plans are generally inadequate and inflation
becomes their serious problem.


2. wHAT ARE THE oBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY? (sTATEMENT OF THE
pROBLEM)

*- aCCORDING TO naTIONAL sTATISTICS cOORDINATION bOARD OR nscb, In
2015, there will be 8.8% or more than 8.72 million Filipino senior citizens. At 2050, the
Philippines will be ranked No. 10 as the most populous country in the world*2. It will
continuously increase in a very fast phase, making it as a challenge that will left the country
unprepared to respond to this occurrences that would threatened its strong familial
relationship and unforeseen impact to its culture, society and economy.

So thus, this study is conducted to convey programs in uplifting the status of Senior Citizen
in Sta. Mesa and that can be extend to other Aging Filipino in preparation of their growing
population in our society, so they would be affirmative factor in our economy despite of
their ages instead of looking them as an affliction .

3.hOW CAN YOU RELATE YOUR TOPIC TO YOUR COUSE?

* -aS A STUDENT OF eCONOMICS, THIS STUDY IS VERY MUCH RELATED IN
TERMS OF HOW THE SENIOR CITIZEN OF STA. MESA CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
THE ECONOMY OF STA.MESA COMMUNITY DESPITE OF THIER AGES, THEIR
EXERIENCES CAN HELP BOST THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE
COMMUNITY ONCE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY AND ONCE PROGRAM FOR
THIER ENHANCEMENT IS ESTABLISHED.

4. hOW CAN YOU RELATE THIS TO THE nATIONAL eCONOMIC sITUATION
*- tHIS SUTDY WOULD HIGHLIGHTS THE CAPABILITIES OF SENIOR CITIZEN
OF STA. MESA, MANILA TO CONTRIBUTE IN ECONOMIC REFORM OF OUR
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, THUS UTILIZING THIER WISDOM AND
EXPERIENCES TO CREATE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS SUITABLE
FOR THEM.