Today, the Commission on Human Rights joins in commemorating the International Day of Older Persons. The theme for this year’s observance is: “The Journey to Age Equality,” which aims to bring awareness to the urgency of preventing old age inequalities.

As we celebrate the International Day for Older Persons, we express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for our elders whilst keeping in mind that they are pillars of strength, wisdom, and custodians of tradition.

Traditionally, the rights of the elderly have been overlooked. However, in recent years, there has been a recent shift towards conventions-based inclusivity with the inclusion of the rights of older persons in human rights instruments, such as Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

While these frameworks provide protections, older persons continue to face key challenges: Filipino senior citizens are still challenged with limitations and discriminations in their everyday life, whether it is lack of access to facilities or opportunities.

Let us not fall short in giving back to our elders the care, protection, and love that they deserve. Together, let us pave a better future for them, as they have done for us, by continuing to push for expanded programs that lead to cheaper medicinal costs, improved access to facilities, and continued improvement of PWD-friendly infrastructures.

The Commission shall never waver in its role of protecting the elderly and continues to reiterate its call for the unhampered passage of the Anti-Elder Abuse Act, which defines “elder abuse” and provides mechanism for legal, social, and moral redress when abuse against an elderly individual has been committed. ###