President Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address drew criticism from a senior citizens' representative for omitting key issues affecting the elderly.
On July 27, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his State of the Nation Address, which lasted one hour and 26 minutes. Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes said the speech contained no reference to the Universal Social Pension Act, geriatric healthcare, or rising medical and living costs.
Ordanes stated that the sector felt forgotten despite the country's aging population. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the number of people aged 60 and above had exceeded 11 million, or 9.6 to 10.2 percent of the population.
The report noted that 80 percent of Filipino seniors lack formal pensions from the SSS or GSIS. Ordanes appealed for passage of laws to support the sector.
