City officials want concerned offices of the local government, particularly the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), to increase the area earlier allotted for the retirement home for the elderly as indicated in the master development plan of the Social Welfare and Development Complex located at Balenben, Irisan.
Under Resolution No. 053, series of 2023, city legislators stated that the Committee on Public Works in its 3rd indorsement dated January 17, 2022 has recommended approval of the new plans from the CPDO increasing the area for the retirement home from 130 to 250 square meters.
Earlier, the body considered Resolution No. 04, series of 2022 dated July 24, 2022 of the Philippine Government Retirees Association, Inc. (PGRA), Baguio-Cordillera chapter, which requested the city government through the CSWDO and CPDO to increase the area earlier allotted for the retirement home for the elderly as indicated in the master development plan of the Social Welfare and Development Complex located at Balenben, Irisan.
The body noted that the complex includes the construction of a halfway home for other clients which include the rebel returnees from the city and nearby localities, a retirement home for the elderly, the Bahay Pag-asa formerly the Social Development Center, and the youth auditorium which would cost some P20 million.
Further, this plan was approved during the June 27, 2022 regular session of the City Council embodied under Resolution No. 266, series of 2022.
Under the said plan, the complex consists of a total land area of 4,897 square meters with 297 square meters designated for the dormitory-type halfway home for rebel returnees while only 130 square meters was allotted for the retirement home for the elderly.
The council underscored that it is imperative for the city government to consider and prioritize the need to allocate or give a wider space for this retirement home as there are now senior citizens in the city needing specialized elderly care.
Moreover, the proposed retirement home for the elderly in the said complex with an area of only 130 square meters must be expanded to be spacious enough to accommodate more elderly and provide the atmosphere conducive to healing and caring.
