The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today recognized local government units (LGUs) which have been participating in the pilot implementation of Reporting System and Prevention Program for Elder Abuse Cases (ReSPPEC), a community-based project that aims to protect the elderly and senior citizens from all forms of abuse by establishing local reporting mechanisms in barangays and communities.

Launched in 2016, the project was developed by the DSWD to strengthen partnership and network between and among the senior citizens’ sector, stakeholders, and partners to ensure holistic and efficient delivery of services and provision of intervention when responding to elderly abuse cases.

The LGUs recognized were San Carlos City, Pangasinan in Region I; Lambunao, Iloilo in Region VI; Maco, Compostela Valley in Region XI; and Valenzuela City in the National Capital Region—the pilot areas for the project. The areas were selected based on the reports gathered from the 2013 National Consultation on Elderly Abuse and the total number of older persons in the locality.

The LGUs were recognized during the launching of the project’s success stories and photo exhibit held at SM Valenzuela City.

Last year, the DSWD inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the LGUs for the pilot implementation of ReSPPEC. Under the MOA, the DSWD shall provide technical assistance and fund augmentation for the implementation of the activities related to the project.

The local governments, on the other hand, shall facilitate the implementation of the project in the locality by having a local reporting mechanism and referral network in the management of elder abuse cases as well as by utilizing a database and information system for the reported cases. The pilot implementation of the project runs from 2016 to 2018.

Through ReSPPEC, the DSWD aims to develop a holistic system that will put into place mechanisms and necessary procedures and protocols to formally report, investigate, intervene, document, monitor, and provide follow-up services to victims of elderly abuse in the community. It involves the development of support group called Protective Committee for Senior Citizens (PCSC) who shall manage reported cases of abuse at the local level.

Under the project, the Department will provide capacity building activities to communities on how to recognize and report elderly abuse; social services for the elder abuse victim and their families not limited to psycho-social, medical, legal and other support; and, rehabilitation and support services for suspected abusers or offenders to mitigate the cycle of violence. It will also intensify public awareness on elder abuse through advocacy activities.

“Elderly abuse cases are under-reported because most often, the abusers are the family members of the elderly themselves whom they are dependent to,” DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco said.

“It is important to establish local reporting mechanisms and to strengthen these, so we can monitor elderly abuse cases properly and provide appropriate intervention to the victims immediately. The DSWD will continue to promote and protect the rights of the older persons’ sector and will champion the creation of projects that will combat abuse of the elderly,” OIC Leyco added.

The Officer-in-Charge also thanked the LGUs, which are participating in the pilot implementation of ReSPPEC and expressed hope that the project, once completed, will be replicated by other local government units. ###