Insights and Prospects for Healthy Aging and Geriatric Medicine in the Philippines: Results from Leaders’ Interviews by ASIO e-TRIGGER Trainees

Abstract The perspectives shared by Filipino leaders in health, aging, and geriatrics – selected and interviewed by the e-TRIGGER trainees – align closely with both global and national priorities in geriatric care. These leaders identified persistent systemic challenges, including fragmented service delivery, shortages of trained personnel, inadequate funding for programs, and cultural barriers to care. In response, they advocated for community-based services, enhanced public health education, policy reforms (such as improvements to PhilHealth benefit packages), and strengthening workforce capacity. They emphasized core values such as person-centred care, advocacy, empathy, and multidisciplinary collaboration. A recurring theme across interviews was the critical need for data-driven policymaking, culturally appropriate interventions, and integrated care strategies. These insights underscore the imperative for geriatric care systems to evolve through institutional reform, education, and the development of inclusive policies.