Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Senior citizens gather at a salon inside the Tandang Sora Market in Qezon City on June 16, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS, CBN News/File

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Senior citizens gather at a salon inside the Tandang Sora Market in Qezon City on June 16, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS, CBN News/File 

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175289312982620210616-covid-senior-citizens-gcq-jc-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senior citizens gather at a salon inside the Tandang Sora Market in Qezon City on June 16, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS, CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senior citizens gather at a salon inside the Tandang Sora Market in Qezon City on June 16, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS, CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senior citizens need state support and government policies that would help younger generations take care of them without being compelled to do so by law, a party-list for the youth said.</p><p>Kabataan Partylist issued the statement in response to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/15/lacson-refiles-bill-penalizing-children-who-abandon-elderly-parents-1535">Sen.Panfilo Lacson&#x27;s Parent Welfare bill</a>, which would allow the elderly to petition courts to order their children to support them financially.</p><p>&quot;Hindi naman mahihirapang sumuporta ang mga anak sa magulang kung sasapat lang ang sahod at trabaho nila at maayos ang pag-abot ng batayang serbisyo ng gobyerno. Healthy families require state support,&quot; Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co said.</p><p>(Seniors&#x27; children would not be struggling to support them if jobs and wages are enough and the government delivers basic services well)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/17/bill-criminalizing-elder-neglect-may-lead-to-fear-based-compliance-family-conflict-expert-1012"><strong>Bill criminalizing elder neglect may lead to &#x27;fear-based&#x27; compliance, family conflict: expert<br/></strong></a></div><p>The party-list said the state should not legislate the repayment of debts of gratitude and that children should not be seen as retirement plans.</p><p>&quot;The government would benefit more in taking care of the new generation instead of hostaging them to ensure the welfare of the older generations,&quot; it also said.</p><p>It added government must shore up corruption and reverse policies that prioritize profit over providing public service.</p><p>Lacson, in response to criticism, said the bill would leave it to the court to consider factors like lack of financial capability and parental neglect or abuse in deciding on the petitions.</p><p>The bill also directs local governments to put up homes for the aged in their areas.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/18/palace-says-family-code-requires-parents-children-to-support-each-other-1703"><strong>Palace says Family Code requires parents, children to support each other<br/></strong></a></div><p>The Palace this week said citizens&#x27; responsibility for their parents is already in the Family Code, which also requires parents to support their children.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE: PROGRAMS IN PLACE FOR THE ELEDERLY</strong></div><p>Palace press officer Claire Castro also said the government already provides benefits and programs to assist the elderly, including discounts for senior citizens.</p><p>Castro meanwhile said that there are numerous government benefits and programs available to help the elderly.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/21/ncsc-says-no-funds-yet-for-2024-beneficiaries-of-expanded-centenarian-act-1325"><strong>NCSC says no funds yet for 2024 beneficiaries of Expanded Centenarian Act<br/></strong></a></div><p>“So, huwag po muna sigurong maging negatibo, tingnan muna nila kung ano na ba ang nagawa ng administrasyon na ito para sa mga elders?” she also said.</p><p>(So, let us not be too negative. Let&#x27;s look at what the administration has done for our elders)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/16/marcos-announces-50-pct-train-fare-discount-for-seniors-pwds-0928"><strong>Marcos announces 50 pct train fare discount for seniors, PWDs<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;Mahal namin ang mga magulang bamin, kaya makikipaglaban ang kabataan para sa isang gobyerno na tunay na maglilingkod para sa mamamayan, bata man o matanda. Deserve nating lahat ito,&quot; Co said.</p><p>(We love our parents and the youth will continue to for a government that will truly serve its citizens, young and old. We all deserve that) <strong>— Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ayt_75DRCfk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>"Hindi naman mahihirapang sumuporta ang mga anak sa magulang kung sasapat lang ang sahod at trabaho nila at maayos ang pag-abot ng batayang serbisyo ng gobyerno. Healthy families require state support," Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co said.</p>

"Hindi naman mahihirapang sumuporta ang mga anak sa magulang kung sasapat lang ang sahod at trabaho nila at maayos ang pag-abot ng batayang serbisyo ng gobyerno. Healthy families require state support," Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co said.

Kabataan party-list: Gov’t should help youth take care of elderly parents

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Kabataan party-list: Gov’t should help youth take care of elderly parents

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 19, 2025 10:54 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 21, 2025 09:05 AM PHT

Read More:

Kabataan Partylist

Panfilo Lacson

Parent Welfare Act

Senior Citizens

Elderly Care

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