BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) population is projected to be aging by 2026, according to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
Population aging refers to the increase in the number and percentage of the older population aged 60 years and above. This also means the number of young populations, or those aged 15 and below, is decreasing.
By 2026, the region will already breach the seven percent proportion of the population who are aged 60 and above, based on the CPD-CAR data.
CPD-CAR regional director Cecile Basawil shared that the provinces of Abra, Kalinga, and Mountain Province have already reached the ageing population. Apayao will have an aging population by 2025 and Baguio City in 2026. The provinces of Ifugao and Benguet still have younger populations and will start to age in 2034 and 2035, respectively.
“Dapat nagkakaroon na tayo ng mga programa na as early as now ay pini-prepare na natin ‘yung region for the possible ageing population,” Basawil stated.
Basawil said that they engage with older persons or the elderly to gather their needs and inputs that will be included in their planning. She explained that they are looking into possible programs for the elderly so that they do not become dependent on the government or their families.
“As early as now, tinitingnan natin how, ano kayang mga possible programs na even after 65, ano ‘yung puwedeng gawin ng ating mga lolo at lola. So kumbaga, kumikita pa rin sila, hindi sila nagiging dependent sa family nila or sa government for their income or for their well-being,” Basawil explained.
The CPD also encourages financial literacy or the ability to understand and apply different financial skills effectively, including personal financial management, budgeting, and saving for the future.
It also conducts trainings for senior citizens to help them advocate responsible parenthood and family planning.
The CPD also partners with the National Commission of Senior Citizens to plan and safeguard the welfare of the elderly in the future.
The CPD reported that by 2030, the country’s demographics could already be considered an ageing population.
According to the United Nations, population aging is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century.
The results of the World Population Prospects 2022 showed that the proportion of persons aged 65 or over is projected to increase globally between 2022 and 2050. The proportion of older persons in the world is projected to reach nearly 12 percent in 2030 and 16 percent in 2050. The study recommends that countries with aging populations should take steps to adapt public programs to the growing proportion of older persons, including by improving the sustainability of social security and pension systems and by establishing universal health care and long-term care systems. **By Debbie Gasingan-PIA CAR
