City officials expressed their profound appreciation and commendation to Margaret K. Tolero for the exemplary services she rendered as head of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for the period July 2018 to December 2022 and president of the senior citizens association of barangay Irisan from December 2013 up to the present.
In a resolution, city legislators stated that the local government commends Ms. Tolero for being a dynamic leader and a conscientious steward of the elderly in the city and recognizes her work and accomplishments worthy of emulation by the present generations.
During her term as OSCA head, the council claimed that Tolero facilitated the sequential processing and issuance of the OSCA identification cards to the senior citizens where the system provides easy access and retrieval of information and records for the convenience of both the office and the clients that resulted to a significant increase in the number of OSCA identification card applicants.
By way of information and education campaign, the body added that Tolero was able to raise the level of awareness of the elderly on the important role of OSCA in the delivery of the services due to its members and on their rights, privileges and benefits as provided for by law.
Further, she saw to it that all the entitlements of the senior citizens are duly accorded where she also acted on complaints lodged against non-compliant establishments and made sure that the appropriate actions had been delivered by the OSCA.
According to the council, her care and concern for the elderly did not wane even during the prevalence of the COVID-19 where she braved the threats of the harsh environment to be able to facilitate the delivery of food assistance and to comfort those who were losing hope. She also conducted and attended virtual meetings to be updated on the events that concern OSCA and programs that can be accessed.
Because of the impact of her works, fueled by the passion to service, Tolero was awarded the Outstanding Senior Citizen Achievers Award in 2019. The search criteria included educational background, personal qualities, achievements, community involvement and service awards received.
In 2020, Tolero received another award as one of the Outstanding Women Leaders by the OWALs–Baguio for empowering and mobilizing the senior citizens of the city. The OWLs awardees are chosen for their meritorious contributions to the development of the various sectors of the city.
As president of the senior citizens association of barangay Irisan, Tolero was able to source out funds for the phase 1 of the construction of the 3-story senior citizens center at Purok 15 over a 176-square meter lot donated by Daniel Maganes to the barangay. To date, the center is now a 3-story building now being used as a venue for activities not only by the senior citizens but all the sectors of Irisan.
