By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – The Philippines is grappling with the prevalence of disability among its adult population, a reality that is pushing the country toward a massive “care crisis” as the system struggles to keep pace with rising health needs.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) on Thursday said 8 in 10 Filipino adults experience some level of disability.
Its study titled “The Future Demand for Care in the Philippines” reveals the burden is even more pronounced among the elderly, with nearly 90 percent of older persons having at least a moderate disability.
Researchers noted that this high disability rate, coupled with the fact that non-communicable diseases now account for 64 percent of all deaths, has created an urgent and intensive demand for long-term care that the current underdeveloped industry cannot meet.
The study highlights that the financial and social costs for families caring for members with disabilities are immense.
Families raising a child with a disability, for instance, face costs that can be up to 80 percent higher than average.
Despite these needs, the care landscape remains fragmented. Families are often forced to absorb the burden themselves due to a lack of formal facilities and qualified professionals.
“At present, the care landscape is characterized by limited access to care services, an underdeveloped care industry, a lack of qualified care workers and professionals, and uneven distribution of existing facilities,” the study said.
It points out that the responsibility for managing these disabilities falls disproportionately on women, who spend an average of 28 hours a week on unpaid care work. This is more than triple the 8.6 hours spent by men.
As the country heads toward becoming an aging society by 2030, the pool of available family caregivers is shrinking due to smaller family sizes and the migration of trained care workers seeking better pay abroad.
This leave-behind effect creates significant gaps in home-based care for adults with disabilities.
PIDS experts stressed that the current reliance on home-based, family-oriented care is no longer sustainable given the high disability statistics.
“Care provision is primarily home-based and family oriented,” the study stated, noting that this setup “reinforces gender norms” and leaves many unmet needs for those with moderate to severe disabilities.
To address the crisis, the study calls for immediate government investment in a more robust care economy, including specialized infrastructure for the disabled and elderly, and policies that encourage shared responsibility for care work.
It added that a more inclusive and gender-equitable care economy will require sustained investments in quality care services, robust data systems, and initiatives that actively reshape social norms. (PNA)
