Monday, July 21, 2008 Home for abandoned elderly eyed in Baguio
ELDERLIES seen begging and sleeping on benches in parks may soon find a home in Baguio City.
Although the original concept is to construct a retirement home for foreign retirees, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) deemed a shelter for indigent and abandoned old people should be built as well.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the PRA, represented by its chairman Edgar Aglipay, the City Government represented by Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) represented by Secretary Esperanza Cabral for the establishment of a residential care facility.
The DSWD will construct the facility in accordance with standards set for a care facility, provide technical assistance to the local government and undertake training of personnel involved in residential care.
The PRA on the other hand will provide funds for the construction of the building, while the local government of Baguio will provide a lot where the building will be constructed, provide for the maintenance and other operating expense, operate and manage the facility according to DSWD standards, designate the staff which will implement the project, organize and mobilize volunteers, establish linkages with local, national and international agencies and submit a quarterly report to the DSWD.
No site has been identified for a residential facility as well as a retirement home yet, Aglipay said.
Baguio is a pilot area in Luzon for the establishment of a retirement home, along with Subic, Manila, Tagaytay, Cebu and Davao.
This addresses the brain drain in the country, Aglipay said. "Instead of nurses, doctors and caregivers going abroad to work, a 'reverse migration' process will be implemented this time," he said.
The PRA vision is for the Philippines to become a retirement haven by 2020. The group projects that by the time, US$20-million worth of income would have been generated from the entry of retirees.
The income would come from visitation fees. Before coming to the country, retirees are first required to invest US$20,000 in the bank. The interest will be given to the retiree and US$500 service fee per year is required by the PRA. (RO)
