PH hosts high-level talks on senior citizens in Asean
The Philippines is hoping to push “inclusive development” of senior citizens at high-level talks on the quickly ageing communities among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“The Philippines will push for inclusive development that ensures no sector is left behind. Strengthening social protection is essential to help individuals and families cope with challenges,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, said on Sunday.
Dumlao bared the tack as Asean nations prepared to meet about seniors and the Asean Socio-Cultural Community on March 2 to March 5 in Makati City.
Since 2020, Asean officials have been talking about the number of senior citizens among the bloc’s 11 members, which the Asean Secretariat projected to reach 127 million within 10 years.
Southeast Asia already had 77.4 million senior citizens in 2020, representing 11.6 percent of the total population of over 670 million and the number of elderly in member-nations is expected to rise from 1 in 9 people to 1 in 5 over the next 30 years.
