geriatricsphilippines.org Blog

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NAST), PHILIPPINES
31st Annual Scientific Meeting
08-09 July 2009; The Manila Hotel

Resolution on Active Aging

Whereas, in the global scene, the population of older persons grows at a rate of 2.6 percent every year, which is significantly faster than the population as a whole, which increases at 1.1 percent annually;

Whereas, in the Philippines, the population 60 years and above, has grown at a very rapid rate increasing from 3.2 million in 1990 to 4.6 million in 2000;

Whereas, in the Philippines, the rate of growth of the population 60 years and above, is at 3.6 percent per annum;

Whereas, the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Republic Act Nos. 7876, 8425 and 9257, General Appropriations Act of 2006, and Executive Order No. 266 were formulated to take care of its elderly members to design programs which will be beneficial to senior citizens, their families and the rest of the communities that they serve;

Whereas, the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens covering the period 2006-2010 identified major areas of concerns, target outputs, and responsible agencies/institutions, which have to be fully implemented;

Whereas, active aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age;

Whereas, active aging allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well being throughout the life course and to participate in society according to their needs, desires and capacities, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they require assistance;

Whereas, the active aging approach is based on the recognition of the human rights of older people and the United Nations Principles of independence, participation, dignity, care and self-fulfillment.

NOW, THEREFORE, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines on their 31st Annual Scientific Meeting recommends the following action point to be addressed accordingly by the appropriate agencies.

• Service Delivery

 Recognize home and residential care as a significant strategy for better care for the aging population, through standardized guidelines (DOH and DSWD);

 Designate health professionals, trained and dedicated to the care of the senior citizens in all hospitals, especially in the DOH retained hospitals (DOH);

 Subject services, drugs and other items to 20% discount based on the retail price which already includes VAT (DOF);

 Create an enabling and conducive work environment while allowing the elderly to work and remain productive (DSWD and DOLE);

• Research and Innovation

 Conduct research to address pressing concerns and issues affecting the aging population (DOST and DSWD);

 Establish an institute for aging that will identify and implement priority researches on the aging population including the development of new parameters for defining and characterizing the dependency ratio for senior citizens (UPM-NIH);

 Create innovative mechanism for savings and income generation for the purpose of providing regular pension for senior citizens (DOST);

 Create an investment mechanism and income protection for the senior citizens (BSP and NEDA);

 Develop nutritional standards for the elderly that are affordable and cost effective (DOST);

 Develop technology for improved access, functional independence, and social connectivity for senior citizens (DOST).

• Training and Education

 Give high priority to the promotion of quality aging by all sectors of both public and private sectors (DepEd);

 Launch information and education campaign to promote lifestyle change through primary and secondary education on aging (DepEd);

 Incorporate in the school curriculum values formation specially for better appreciation of the elderly (DepEd); and

 Educate middle age workforce on the benefits of senior citizens and prepare them for retirement (GSIS, SSS, DSWD);

• Policy

 Revisit the composition of the National Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Board (DSWD);

 Review existing laws to ensure their proper implementation (DSWD);

 Establish, fully implement, and further strengthen the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in all Local Government Units (DILG); and

 Consolidate and update national data related to aging (DSWD).

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines supports the national program for aging and commits to the creation of the National Advisory Council on Active Aging that will further define the strategies and programs that have to be implemented to realize the aforementioned objectives.

Download documents and Annual Scientific Meeting Proceedings link to NAST

The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the country’s highest scientific advisory body made up of scientists recognized for their excellent contribution to Philippine development, recently hosted the Annual Scientific Meeting with the theme “Active Aging towards Quality Life” held July 8 and 9, 2009 at the Manila Hotel.
Heading the first day were DOST Secretary Alabastro who recognized the need for research and technology to support improved services for the aging population, and DSWD Secretary Cabral, re-committing the leadership role of her department in the quest for quality of life for our senior citizens. Dr. de la Vega gave the first plenary, on the concepts of Active Aging, based on the WHO framework.
The highlight of the 2-day event was the reading of the NAST Resolutions, supporting current government laws especially RA9257 and the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens, and calling for action and the creation of an Institute for Aging. Our NAST Scientists will continue to contribute towards achieving Active Aging for Quality Life by creating the National Advisory Council on Active Aging.

Powerpoint presentations are available at the NAST website