NEWS
24July
Photo courtesy of BTA official websites
BTA Parliament moves to enhance senior citizen healthcare
- Jul 24, 2025
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 736
COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament is taking significant steps to address the healthcare needs of its burgeoning senior citizen population with the introduction of Parliament Bill No. 375.
The proposed measure seeks to establish the Bangsamoro Healthy Ageing and Wellness Program (BHAWP), a pioneering initiative designed to provide free, community-based medical services to residents aged 60 and older throughout the region, with a particular focus on remote and conflict-affected areas.
The bill, sponsored by Member of Parliament Hashemi Dilangalen, highlights the current lack of dedicated geriatric centers and a consolidated Senior Citizen Health Information System (SCHIS) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Dilangalen underscored the urgent need to bolster social protection and health access for older persons, noting that over 181,000 senior citizens resided in BARMM as of the 2020 census, many in areas with limited or inaccessible health facilities—a number projected to increase significantly by 2030.
Under BHAWP, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with local governments, will spearhead the delivery of geriatric care. This will be facilitated through a combination of fixed centers and mobile units, ensuring broader reach.
A key component of the proposed program is the creation of a Senior Citizen Health Information System (SCHIS). This system will be crucial for tracking medical needs, monitoring service coverage, and evaluating health outcomes, allowing for more targeted and effective interventions.
The comprehensive services envisioned under the bill include vital medical consultations, provision of maintenance medications, essential dental care, distribution of assistive devices, and even home visits for bedridden elders.
Recognizing the unique demographics and cultural context of BARMM, the bill also emphasizes the importance of training local health workers and caregivers in geriatric care. Special provisions are included for indigent, living alone, conflict-displaced, and disabled elderly residents.
Furthermore, the measure integrates Islamic-aligned care practices such as halal nutrition, gender-sensitive caregiving, and partnerships with faith-based and indigenous institutions, ensuring culturally appropriate services.
If enacted, Parliament Bill No. 375 would mark a significant milestone for BARMM, establishing the region's first dedicated and regionwide program for aging and elder care, and effectively closing critical gaps in healthcare services for its senior citizens.
Time in Cotabato
Most Read
