Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Marites Maristela. (Trixie Joy B. Manalili/PIA 3)
TARLAC CITY — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged family members to show their love to the elderly by ensuring their protection from COVID-19.
DSWD Regional Director Marites Maristela emphasized that the delay of vaccination among senior citizens increases their vulnerability to COVID-19.
“While there are a lot of love languages such as words of affirmation and services, the best way to demonstrate our love and care for our ‘lolos’ and ‘lolas’ is to have them inoculated,” she stressed during the regional webinar on Overcoming Mental Health Distress Among Senior Citizens which served as the regional kick-off of the 2021 Elderly Filipino Week celebration.
“In DSWD, approximately 84 percent or 42 out of 50 senior citizen employees already received their COVID-19 vaccines. We are still reaching out to those who are afraid and have reservations to explain to them that they need a blanket of protection,” Maristela noted.
She said this year’s Elderly Filipino Week celebration centers on recognizing and appreciating grandparents’ wisdom, love and comfort to their loved ones especially in times of uncertainty.
“Without them, we will never enjoy some of the things that we have now such as Filipino values, various advocacies and democracy,” Maristela stated.
For his part, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director William Beltran assured the government’s prioritization of senior citizen welfare amid the pandemic.
“Our government would like to extend its gratitude to our ‘lolos’ and ‘lolas’ who have participated in our vaccination roll-out program. You helped our country achieve population protection through your willingness to be vaccinated,” he said.
Beltran likewise reminded the elderly to always use face masks and face shields, and observe social distancing to avoid transmitting the virus.
The webinar was organized by PIA in partnership with DOH and Regional Coordinating and Monitoring Board for Senior Citizens. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)
