CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded the Anti-Elder Abuse Act, authored by Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap, which makes it illegal to inflict physical, psychological or emotional, and financial harm on those who are aged 60 or more.
The CHR was reacting to the passage of House Bill 7030 on third reading, amid estimates that there are about 7 million Filipinos aged 60 and over in the country and estimates that this would grow to 19.6 million by 2040, as a result of the lower fertility and lower mortality rates.
The bill was authored and pushed by Yap without objections or abstentions form 176 lawmakers in the Lower House.
In a statement, the CHR said that “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, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” it said.
But the CHR noted that “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.”
The bill seeks to give senior citizens the following rights in addition to those provided under existing laws:
(a) to avail of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office of the Department of Justice or any public legal assistance office,
(b) support services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the concerned local government unit,
(c) legal remedies provided under the Family Code, and
(d) to be entitled to actual, compensatory, moral and exemplary damages, among others.
Section 6 of the proposed measure also tasks the DSWD and the Department of Health to provide senior citizens who are victims of abuse temporary shelter, counseling, rehabilitation services and livelihood assistance, among others.
The bill further mandates local government units to respond to a call or request for assistance of the victims. Also, the Philippine National Police will establish guidelines and procedures in responding to calls and requests related to acts of violence committed against senior citizens under the bill.
