BAGUIO CITY – The city Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance organizing the City Government Retirees Association and appropriating funds for the said purpose.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda states all retirees of the city government will be encouraged to join the Baguio City Government Retirees Association to be organized primarily to forge stronger ties and bond with fellow retirees; conduct and participate in programs and activities related to the city celebrations; serve as a forum where the retirees can express their issues and concerns; build a continuing partnership with the city government and engage in activities that will enhance further their growth and development to enable them to continue living a meaningful life.
The ordinance tasked the City Human Resource and Management Office (CHRMO) to lead in the implementation the measure and organize the Baguio City Government Retirees Association using its database; keep an updated record for reference purposes; conduct an orientation and election of officers; assist, track, supervise and monitor the activities of the association and perform other functions as needed.
The ordinance also mandates the duly elected officers of the association to set the guidelines and policies for the group, subject to confirmation by the majority of all its members.
The ordinance declares the 31st day of October every year as the City Government Retirees Day in the city and appropriate activities shall be prepared by the association that may include programs on health, light physical activities, socialization, re-education, among others, wherein the City Human Resource Management Officer will be designated as the chairperson of the celebration and observance of the prescribed mandate.
The ordinance mandates the allocation of some P300,000 from the annual budget of the local government for this initiative which shall be integrated with the budget of the CHRMO.
The ordinance stipulated that city government employees retire due to various reasons, some retire early because their body conditions no longer allow them to continue to work, others retire because they have reached the mandatory age for retirement which is 65, still, others leave the service because they embark on another opportunity elsewhere, either here at home or overseas, but whatever the reason, retirement means permanently leaving a job.
However, the proponent noted that happy memories of camaraderie, friendship and bonding remain in their minds and their hearts considering they carry the said memories through the years even as nostalgia bites, but the feeling lingers on.
More importantly, retirees wish to relive the memories of their office days, longing to be a part of the numerous city activities once more and many of them are still interested to share their time, skills, talents and experience through voluntary works and still desire to participate in the celebrations of the city as they see the same as a way to redefine life after retirement.
By Dexter A. See
