MALACAÑANG directed all government agencies and encouraged local government units (LGUs) to hold and support activities to celebrate, recognize and promote the rights and welfare of senior citizens as the country celebrates the annual “Linggo ng Katandaang Filipino” (Elderly Filipino Week).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in issuing Memorandum Circular No. 34, also directed the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) to spearhead the conduct of activities and programs during the weeklong-celebration, pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act (RA) 11350, or the “National Commission of Senior Citizen Act.”
“All NGAs (national government agencies) and instrumentalities, including GOCCs (government-owned or -controlled corporations), GFIs (government financial institutions) and SUCs (state universities and colleges) are hereby directed, and all LGUs are hereby encouraged, to extend full support for and cooperation with the NCSC in the conduct of relevant activities and programs for senior citizens during the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week,” the memorandum read.
It added that funding for the activities would be sourced from the current and available appropriations of concerned agencies, subject to budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, as well as rules and regulations.
The celebration stemmed from Proclamation No. 470 (s. 1994) that declared the first week of October of every year as the Linggo ng Katandaang Filipino, which aims to highlight the significant role of the elderly sector in nation-building and in promoting their rights and welfare.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for its part, hosted a wellness fair at its Central Office in Batasan in Quezon City last Monday to celebrate the Elderly Filipino Week.
Among the services provided during the fair included massage therapy, eye check-ups, and the provision of free eyeglasses and baked goods.
Employees also expressed appreciation to their older family members through the freedom wall.
As of July 2023, NCSC has registered 2.27 million senior citizens across the country. On the other hand, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show there were 9.22 million senior citizens in the country in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lauded the contribution to nation-building of senior citizens.
“Taos-pusong pagpupugay sa mga kapwa ko senior citizen! (Greetings to all senior citizens like me!) You deserve all the recognition and goodwill because of your collective efforts to help build our nation,” PCSO chairman Junie E. Cua said.
“Suportado po natin ang buong pamahalaan at buong bansa sa iba’t-ibang aktibidad na isasagawa bilang komemorasyon ng linggong ito (We join the country in celebrating the role of the elderly sector in our society),” Cua also said.
Cua said the PCSO remains committed to making the agency’s services more accessible to the elderly, pointing out that the agency has dedicated lanes for the elderly for lotto prize claims, at its main office’s out-patient clinic, and branch office services.
“We continue to look for ways to improve our services for senior citizens,” he said.
In Cainta, Mayor Elen Nieto announced the local government will hold a week-long program for the elderly sector and offer free health care services, grooming, and a get-together.
Health care services include free dental services, ECG, RBS, and eye check-ups.
A Senior Fellowship program will be held in the afternoon of October 6 at the Youngstown covered court, while ballroom dancing lessons will also be offered after the fellowship. — With Christian Oineza
