Atty. Colmenares Joins Mx. CASS on Senior Rights and Elderly Care Discussion

by John Vincent Balustre

Human rights lawyer and former legislator who once penned bills rallying behind the welfare of the elderly community, Atty. Neri Colmenares, along with Mx. CASS Influencer 2024, Hannah Valerie Acama, championed the convergence of generations in ‘MAGCASSAMA Para Kay Lolo at Lola’ discussions on senior rights and elderly care, held through a teleconference at the CASS New Building Learning Commons, on April 4, 2024.



Spearheaded by Acama and her team, the program espoused an avenue of awareness, vision, and action in the present state of the elderly community ranging from conversations on their legal rights to laying the groundwork of amplifying causes from social welfare issues that warrant national attention.


In his talk, Colmenares termed the compelling reason for the need to advance and include the interest of the senior population as a “social imperative”, citing that they are considered one of the vulnerable sectors of society and trivializing their concerns would cost the government another problem such as health issues among others —- further marginalizing the community.


More so, he underscored gratitude to the community for establishing the foundation of the current society prompted by their contributions that the current generation continues to reap and enjoy at the moment.


“Sila ang nagtanim ng palay,” he said.


Lastly, ageing is a reality for everyone. Colmenares emphasized that no one is spared from these dialogues as we all share the same future of having to face our destiny.


“Mahalagang maalagaan ang ating mga nakatatanda dahil doon din tayo papunta later on. Nasa interes nating lahat na alagaan ang ating mga senior citizens,” he added.


Moreover, Colmenares shared his experience and bills he crafted as a former representative of Bayan Muna in the congress, highlighting that most of which was realized into laws reaffirming provisions securing senior rights such as pension hikes that according to him, fundamental to the conception of “self-respect” among elderly retirees for the financial independence it can bring forth.


Apart from what has been done, they continue to lobby advocacies through petitions and bills such as tax exemption thresholds, penalizing discrimination and violence against the elderly, safeguarding rights of incarcerated seniors and the crackdown on delinquent employers that fail to enrol their employees in the Social Security System (SSS).


Youth Participation: Kayoung Kaya

Meanwhile, Prof. Lex Hilario opened the question and answer portion of the program by asking the first question revolving around bridging the generational gaps that led to the supposed indifference of the youth on pushing forward reforms in increasing pension that caused a stir among the younger members of SSS.


However, Colmenares is confident that the youth is not apathetic to the senior’s plight, as evidenced in their initiated petitions that the overwhelming number of people who wished to sign in favour of a pension hike are from the younger generation.


According to him, the discussion was only polarized, when SSS opened the possibility of bankruptcy and he doubted that such would ever be possible merely for augmenting pension unless there are failed investments, errant employers, and other factors.


“Would it be great if the future is already better for you, your generation now, because you made sure that the provisions or the benefits for the older people in this time has [sic] been taken cared [sic] of by the law,” stressed Colmenares.


Acknowledging funds in addressing the needs of the elderly community, Mx. CASS Influencer Acama asked for advice on making advocacies sustainable amid budgetary constraints.


Colmenares responded that a large part of pushing for policies is the people’s clamour strengthened by advocacy campaigning. He said that with the advent of social media, the youth have been influential in calling the attention of authorities concerning the matter.


Coupled with collaborations with state and non-state actors and the impact of a communication campaign, Colmenares sees these undertakings as sustainable regardless of funds.


“You, students, are the resources in launching an advocacy campaign. If you put your hand, your mind, and your heart into your campaign. You are very influential,” he added.


Correspondingly, Acama officially presents her advocacy project termed “ABEL”. Anchored on its tagline “I am able with ABEL. We are able with ABEL”, she hopes to expand the reach of this local initiative through collective effort spanning from panel discussions and open forums, outreach programs, publication concentrated towards the concerns of seniors, and research endeavours.


In the same note of inclusivity, she redefined the role of an advocate through pursuits that recognized the elderly not as incapacitated but as abled individuals who rightfully deserve a space to explore their potential, and as advocates, lending them a hand for the right amount of help.