Merlys Corner

Ito’y sakaling mapagtibay bilang batas ang inihaing House Bill (HB) 5116 o ang ‘Senior Citizens Protection Act‘ na iniakda ni 2nd District Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale Corvera na naglalayong gawing krimen ang pangaabuso at pangaabandona sa mga senior citizens.

Batay sa pagaaral ng World Health Organization (WHO), isa sa kada anim na senior citizens ay nakakaranas ng iba’t ibang uri ng pangaabuso noong 2021 habang tumaas pa ito sa panahon ng community quarantine o lockdown dulot ng COVID 19.

“Any act or series of acts, or lack of appropriate action when the circumstances require, including threats of such acts, committed by a person against a senior citizen, which result in or is likely to result in physical or psychological harm, suffering or distress to the latter, including battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty shall be punishable," saad sa explanatory note ng nasabing panukalang batas. | via Joy Cantos