The Philippine government is encouraging private companies to hire senior citizens, National Commission of Senior Citizens Chairperson Attorney Franklin Quijano said on Thursday.

In a public briefing, Quijano welcomed the proposal made by ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo, saying that it is a "good move" that will benefit senior citizens.

He added that the proposal would be a great way for senior citizens to transfer their skills, experiences, and wisdom to the next generation.

"We're looking at more than just employment," Quijano said. "We're looking at how senior citizens can contribute to the country and help the next generation," he added.

Quijano also said that the government should be flexible regarding working hours for senior citizens, as some may only want to work for a certain number of hours based on their preferences.

"Flexibility is essential," he said. "Some food chains, like McDonald's and KFC, offer 4-hour shifts, and senior citizens are happy with that arrangement. In fact, they tend to be more focused and committed to their work."

Quijano also said that the government should recognize the experience of senior citizens and compensate them accordingly.

"I hope that management, businesses, and even the government will recognize the experience of senior citizens based on their skills, craftsmanship, and expertise," he said. "I hope that senior citizens' contributions will be appreciated and compensated accordingly."

In terms of the Philippine Action Plan for Senior Citizens, Quijano said that the NCSC will be launching the plan on October 1, 2023. The plan includes a number of initiatives designed to support senior citizens, including the development of age-friendly local governments, cities, municipalities, and communities.

Quijano said that the objective of the guidelines for Philippine Age-Friendly Cities and Communities is to create a unique approach to aging that is based on Filipino values, such as caring and compassion. He said that the NCSC wants all local government units, cities, municipalities, and communities to develop this approach in order to create a more supportive environment for people of all ages.