BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twenty-four Senior Citizens took over the seats of the elective officials and department heads of the Bontoc Local Government Unit on October 3, 2022, as part of the celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week every October 1-7 of every year.
Mrs. Benita Sumcad, took over the seat of Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., while Mrs. Linda David replaced Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen for a day.
Meanwhile, the senior citizens who took over the seats of the Sangguniang Bayan members are: Mrs. Eliza Gayec, Mrs. Elizabeth Dapig, Mrs. Rosario Fecha, Mrs. Josefa Kanongkong, Mrs. Marjorie Dizon, Mr. Luciano Payocyoc, Mr. James Langpawen, Mrs. Mary Kumalao, Mr. John Sipngat, and Mr. James Peta, and Mrs. Saturnina Bacwaden.
The resolutions proposed by the SCOFAD Sangguniang Bayan Members are as follows: A resolution requesting the Municipal Government of Bontoc to monitor and ensure the strict compliance of its Municipal Ordinance No. 359, S. 2022, which mandates the increased tricycle fare in the municipality to ₱13.00 and a discounted fare of ₱10.00 to senior citizens, differently-abled individuals, students, and pregnant women; A resolution requesting the Municipal Government of Bontoc to provide financial assistance for honoraria, food, and travel allowance for the members of the Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (MFSCAP) in the performance of their functions; and A resolution supporting MPCU Res. No. 16, S. 2022 requesting the creation of Municipal Cooperative Development Officer.
Other senior citizens who took over the seats of the Department Heads for a day are Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Epifania Gumihid, Municipal Health Officer Josefa Engngeg, Municipal Treasurer Hilario Dumasan, Municipal Civil Registrar Mary Ann Yamoyam, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Rosalina Foken, Municipal Agriculturist Gabriel Banganan, Municipal Engineer Nicolas Farnican, Municipal Planning and Development Officer Delfin Tafaleng, Municipal Accountant Francis Safawil, Municipal Assessor Gabriel Boyagao, and Municipal Budget Officer Clement Feken.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., welcomed all the senior citizens and acknowledged the importance of the roles of senior citizens in the community as they have a wealth of skills and experience
Likewise, the mayor assured the continued support of the municipal government to all undertakings of the senior citizens by implementing what has been stipulated in the Senior Citizens Code of Bontoc.
Among the notable support to be provided by the Bontoc LGU to the senior citizens is the cash assistance of ₱10, 000 to each of the 16 barangays of Bontoc to be utilized for the programs and activities of senior citizens.
The SCOFAD officials and department heads also conducted vaccination campaign; attended Information, Education, and Communication activity and onsite visitation of the Municipal Solid Waste and Management Facility at Am-ancho, Bontoc Ili; and attended a meeting with the department heads at the Mayor’s Conference Hall.
The theme for this year’s Elderly Week Celebration is “Older Person: Resillence in Nation Building.”
