(A WEEK FOR THE ELDERLY. Senior Citizen members of different Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines in Central Luzon grace the kick-off of week-long 2019 Elderly Filipino Week celebration at Heroes Hall, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on October 1, 2019.)
The City of San Fernando hosted the first day of the week-long Elderly Filipino Week celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 3 on October 1, 2019 at Heroes Hall.
The program was participated by more than 600 senior citizen members of seven province-based Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines.
According to Susan Hernandez, DSWD 3 Social Welfare Officer II and Social Pension Program Regional Focal Person, the program was supported by Proclamation No. 470, s. 1994 which states that an Elderly Filipino Week should be observed every first week of October.
Hernandez said that the celebration is annually held to give honor and recognition to the contributions of senior citizens to the society.
“Ang Oktubre ay nakalaan para sa mga nakatatanda nating kababayan upang bigyan nang pagpapahalaga at pagpupugay ang kanilang mga naging kontribusyon sa ating lipunan,” she said. Highlights of the celebration were the “Walk for Life,” orientation on different elderly programs being implemented by several government agencies, talent presentations from different groups, games, and raffle draws.
Meanwhile, nine individuals, comprised of government officials and agency leaders, were granted the Service Excellence Award from the National Anti-Poverty Commission for greatly contributing to the welfare of the elderlies.
Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, in his speech presented by City Administrator Atty. Atlee Viray, said that he only had one word to say for the senior citizens.
“Sabi nga ng isang tanyag na kasabihan ‘Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.’ Sa tuwing naririnig ko ang kasabihang ito, isang salita ang aking naaalala. Ito ang ‘pasasalamat’. Pasasalamat sa mga tao na naging bahagi ng kung sino at saan man ako ngayon. At kayo po iyon, kayong mga lolo’t lola na laging nakaantabay sa amin magmula nang kami’y musmos pa lamang,” he said.
Hernandez also left a message to the city government, extending their gratitude for the city’ hosting if this year’s Elderly Filipino Week celebration.
“Napakalaki ng pasasalamat namin sa City Government of San Fernando, lalo na kay Mayor Santiago dahil naging maganda, komportable, at maayos ang programa para sa ating mga senior citizens,” she expressed.
