BONTOC, Mountain Province – Three best performing barangay senior citizen associations in this capital town were recognized by the municipal government in celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week every October 1-7 of every year.
Barangay Caluttit emerged as the champion in the Search for Best Performing Barangay Senior Citizen Association with a prize of PhP10, 000. Bontoc Ili Senior Citizen Association came in 2nd place with an incentive of PhP7, 000 while Tocucan Senior Citizen Association landed in 3rd place and received PhP5,000.
The cash prizes were handed over by Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., Sangguniang Bayan member Viola Okko, Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Head Belinda Galo, and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Araceli Shane Bayanos to the winners during the Senior Citizens’ Day celebration on October 2, 2023, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds.
According to social welfare officer Sandra Comafay of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), part of the Senior Citizens Code of Bontoc, Mountain Province is the Senior Citizens Incentive and Awards Program. This is to recognize the best-performing barangay senior citizen associations by granting them incentives and awards.
The program aims to encourage the elderly to plan and carry out activities for self-enhancement and community development; assist the elderly in availing of the benefits they are entitled to from government and non-government agencies, and other entities; recognize the efforts and participation of the senior citizen sector of the municipality.
She said that for this year, 13 barangay senior citizen associations have submitted their entries. The criteria in the selection of winners include Stability of the Unit or Functionality, Project/Activities Undertaken, and Environmental Concerns. The Barangay Senior Citizen Associations that participated in the search are Alab Proper, Alab Oriente, Balili, Bayyo, Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Guina-ang, Poblacion, Gonogon, Talubin, Tocucan, Dalican, and Can-eo.
It was stated in the Senior Citizens Code that any barangay unit which wins first place three consecutive times shall be disqualified to compete again in the same category for the next succeeding year. However, the said barangay unit shall be elevated to the “hall of fame” achievement with a corresponding Certificate of Recognition.
Mayor Tudlong expressed his happiness for the active participation of the barangay senior citizen associations in the search and hopes for full participation next year.
