DSWD backs bill vs kids ‘abusing’ parents

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday, March 28, said it supports a bill protecting parents and senior citizens from “economic abuse and financial hardships” that children and grandchildren could inflict on them.

Filed by Senior Citizens party-list Rep Godofredo Arquiza, the proposed “Maintenance and Welfare of Parents, Senior Citizens, and Elderly Act of 2010” seeks to penalize children or grandchildren who deprive their parents or grandparents of financial support despite their capacity to give this.

The proposed law, House Bill No 2295, also applies similar penalties on children or grandchildren who refuse to accept in their abode their homeless parents or grandparents.

The prison terms for violating such provisions can range from 6 months and a day, to 6 years. (Read the full text below)

In a statement, the DSWD said it has submitted recommendations to the House of Representatives, which include making social workers assess the situation of the families involved before filing cases. The assessments will cover family relationships and financial capabilities, among other things.

“It is duty of the State to enact measures to promote human dignity and safeguard the rights of parents, as well as the senior citizens and elderly, from any form of economic disadvantage. Many children nowadays, after having been reared, loved, nurtured, and sent to school by their parents, have totally abandoned their parents for selfish reasons,” House Bill No 2295 says. – Rappler.com