THE KABATAAN Partylist has strongly opposed proposals seeking to institutionalize the Filipino cultural value of utang na loob or debt of gratitude through legislation, warning that such measures could unjustly burden children by turning them into de facto retirement plans for their parents.

“Children should not be held hostage as retirement plans,” the group stated.

“Let us not legislate the forced repayment of utang na loob by children to their parents. This is anti-poor and harmful to families,” they added.

Kabataan Partylist emphasized that while most Filipino children willingly care for their aging parents, doing so becomes more difficult under conditions of low wages, job insecurity, and lack of government support for basic services.

“Supporting parents wouldn’t be difficult if decent jobs, living wages, and accessible government services were available. Healthy families require strong state support,” the group said.

“The government should ensure the welfare of the younger generation, rather than placing the sole responsibility of elder care on their shoulders. This is not just a private family matter,” they added.

According to the youth bloc, the real issue lies in state neglect fueled by corruption and profit-driven policies that fail to allocate sufficient funding for the elderly.

“The real crime is the government’s failure to support its citizens—both young and old—due to corruption and neoliberal policies. Public funds should be enough to care for the elderly, whether or not they have children,” they said.

Kabataan Partylist underscored that their advocacy stems from love and respect for elders: “We love our parents—that’s why the youth will fight for a government that truly serves the people, both young and old. We all deserve this.”

The group called for comprehensive, accessible social services—including healthcare, livelihood support, utilities, and other basic needs—as the proper solution to elder care, rather than laws that rely on personal family dynamics to make up for government shortcomings.