TABUK CITY, Kalinga– Around 70 senior citizens from the northern district of the city joined in the celebration of this year’s Filipino Elderly Week with the theme “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World”.
According to Social Welfare Officer Marydhel Lattot of the City Special Concerns and Coordinating Office (CSCCO), the event was arranged to highlight the important roles played by older citizens in both their families and the community.
She emphasized in her message how local seniors are willing to take part in all activities planned for them by the city government and that they are resilient and active despite their advanced age.
Seniors were given an orientation on RA 9444 (An Act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens) on the first day of the celebration by Imelda Polig, head of the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), to remind them of their rights and entitlements guaranteed by the law, such as a 20% discount on food and basic commodities, medical and dental services, transportation, a doctor’s professional fee, and exemption from value added tax, among others, after which the participants themselves gave song and dance performances.
According to CSCCO figures, 2,500 senior citizens from the 45 chapters are registered this year. The Department of Social Welfare and Development sponsors 5,407 of the 7,207 social pensioners, while the city government sponsors 1,800 of them. More people are anticipated to attend the celebration tomorrow as it continues in other parts of the city.
In accordance with Proclamation No. 470, which was made by the then-President Fidel Ramos on September 26, 1994, the Elderly Filipino Week is observed every October 1–7. A social welfare program supporting the well-being of the elderly must be implemented by the Executive Department through the DSWD, according to the proclamation.