A Proposed Vision Screening Training Facility in Metro Manila

Background

The Philippine Government has recently approved RA 11358 also known as the National Vision Screening Act which
will mandate every school that handles Kindergarten levels to undergo vision screening test. The purpose of the law
is to detect and identify any vision problems, including blindness, among children. The Department of Education
(DepEd) in coordination with Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI) will lead the
implementation of the act. Aside from identifying early childhood visual problems, the act also provides immediate
attention to visually impaired kindergarten pupils and create a referral system so that they may be checked and
treated by eye care practitioners. PERI, who is also one of the advocates of this law, is also liable for developing a
vision screening results database for all kindergarten pupils. The department is also admitting that they will be
needing trainees for conducting the program for the purpose of quality assurance.

As researchers, we support this new act because it will help our Government to develop new solutions about visual
problems since the daily living of the present generation rely mostly on gadgets, which is one of the causes of most
visual impairments in our society, particularly blindness. Having said that, we are proposing a Vision training facility
which will become:

- A reconnaissance training facility for PERI to extend its areas of concern, especially on finding trainees who
will be qualified to do the screening program, particularly within Metro Manila
- Another facility that can be served as storage of database for any kind of visual impairment. Hence, boosting
PERI’s objectives and research productivity about new solutions for visual problems.

MATUA: A proposed Community towards Aging Population in Pampanga

Background

Like Japan, Germany and Italy, the number of indigent senior citizens (from ages 60 and above) in the Philippines is
growing and expected to grow from the future. Last year, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) declared the
Philippines as an aging population because the population of senior citizens in the country is 8.2 percent of the total
population, which exceeds the minimum requirement of 7 percent of the total population to be declared so. The
commission also added that by the year 2020 senior citizens from ages 60 and above will most likely grow to 4.9
percent; 5.6 percent by 2025 and 6.3 percent by 2030. Meanwhile the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) have
reported, using the 2015 population census, that Central Luzon particularly in San Fernando Pampanga is
experiencing decrease in work force at the same time increase on older persons (ages 60 and above). This may be a
huge problem to some experts as the effects of an aging population may lead to more healthcare cost and weakening
the work force or much worse, the extinction of an entire society.

But as researchers, we look it as an opportunity to reciprocate this idea by proposing a community for senior citizens
where they can assure healthcare, shelter and entertainment since they were once served our country. Also we are
confident to propose this concept because President Duterte recently approved RA 11350 or the National
Commission of Senior Citizens Act which supports and automatically provides services for every facilities and
activities beneficial to senior citizens (Sec. 2 of the act). Hence, promoting awareness about the rights and
importance of senior citizens in the society.