Filipino community leaders convened at the Kalayaan Hall on April 15 to address pressing issues affecting Filipinos in Italy. Ambassador Imperial presented a study highlighting the ‘longevity crisis’ among Filipinos in Italy, who have an average age of death of 58 years, significantly lower than the national average in the Philippines and life expectancy in Italy.
The study also revealed that Filipino men in Italy die approximately 14 years earlier than their counterparts in the Philippines.
Ambassador Imperial emphasized that many Overseas Filipinos face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, including language constraints and inflexible work schedules. He noted that some Filipinos are unable to benefit from Italy’s retirement age of 67 due to premature mortality.
To address these challenges, the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan will launch initiatives focused on accessible healthcare, occupational safety, financial literacy, career mobility, and overall wellness. Consul General Jim Tito B. San Agustin also presented plans for Kalayaan 2026, encouraging active participation from Filipino organizations.
The event concluded with an open forum, where attendees shared their experiences and expressed support for the proposed initiatives. The Consulate General reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Filipino community partners and Italian institutions to advance the well-being of Filipinos in Italy. – ALONA COCHON
