Santiago wants probe on Pinoys’ state of health

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has called for an inquiry into a report that Filipinos are living longer but are in poor health.

Citing a report by the Commission on Population (Popcom), Santiago noted that the Philippines is approaching a demographic transition where life expectancy of Filipinos is getting longer because of advances in technology but they still live in poor health.

Popcom executive director Juan Antonio Perez cited a report from the University of the Philippines’ Population Institute that there is a significant rise in the number of older Filipinos in the past decade based on demographic trends, human capital and health status.

The report noted that older Filipinos are expected to account for 10 percent of the population by 2025, up from the present six to seven percent. It was also noted that females will live longer than their male counterparts at an average of 72 as against 67, respectively.

Perez said that the Philippine population is still considered a young population, but by 2025 to 2030, the Philippine population would start to age. There are now an estimated seven million senior citizens in the country.

The greater concern, however, is that even though Filipinos are living longer, they are in a state of poorer health and socioeconomic condition since they are only partially reaping the benefits of better health and social conditions.