MANILA – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) emphasized the need to review existing policies on aging as the country’s senior population approached 11 million in 2025.

CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales made the remark during the opening of the National Consultation for the Promotion of Policies on Aging in the Philippines at the Marco Polo in Ortigas, organized in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and other government agencies.

“We do not want to wait for that time when we have more and more older persons, and we cannot provide them proper services and opportunities, so this is a good conversation to do now. This discussion is now,” Bersales said. She added that the consultation aims to identify policy and implementation gaps in government frameworks, including the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the National Commission of Senior Citizens’ action plans, ahead of their 2028 deadlines.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Chief Claire Dennis Mapa said that as of 2025, Filipinos aged 60 and above make up 9.6 percent of the 113.7 million population, or about 10.98 million people. He noted that the proportion of older persons is expected to reach 11 percent by 2030.

Mapa added that life expectancy for seniors is increasing, with women expected to live up to 81–82 years and men up to 77–78 years. “With increasing longevity comes greater demand for health care, social protection, and income security,” he said, noting that less than half of senior citizens are currently covered by social protection programs.

The PSA data also show that many older Filipinos remain economically active. About 3.4 million seniors were still part of the labor force in 2025, with 1.8 million employed in agriculture, followed by wholesale and retail trade, transportation, and other services. Mapa clarified that continued work among seniors is not necessarily a sign of poverty.

Grace Cruz, principal investigator and trustee of the Demographic Research and Development Foundation, highlighted persistent health and access gaps among older Filipinos. Her research showed that over two-thirds of seniors have at least one diagnosed illness, including hypertension and diabetes, and that many cases remain undiagnosed or unmanaged due to financial constraints and limited access to health facilities, particularly in rural areas.

The study also revealed urban-rural and regional disparities, with most caregiving responsibilities falling on family members, especially women.

The consultation is set to continue on Wednesday, focusing on government programs and initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.