The elderly sector comprises 6.8% of the Philippine population, thus, an integral part of Philippine society.

With this in mind, the Department of Social Welfare and Development FO 02 spearheaded the Elderly Filipino Week Celebration together with other National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, and Civil Society Organizations, particularly OSCA and FSCAP, to pay tribute to the elderly thru a weeklong festivity from October 1-7, 2014.

The said festivity was participated in by almost 200 senior citizens of Tuguegarao City with the theme, “Nakatatanda ay Mahalaga: Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan, Pangalagaan Kanilang Kapakanan.”

“Our senior citizens, as aptly stated in this year’s theme, play a vital role in our national progress with their hard work and contribution to economic growth and nation building,” DSWD FO 02 Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan said during one of the activities for the elderly.

She likewise encouraged the senior citizens to engage in activities where they derive entertainment and purpose. As for her, she plans to go back to her home province of Aklan when she retires from public service.

Meanwhile, DSWD FO 02 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ponciana P. Condoy advised the elderly to “avoid stress, enjoy life and have an active lifestyle” during the Social Pensioner’s Day where she graced the distribution of social pension for indigent senior citizens being implemented by DSWD.

Social Pension is a monthly cash transfer to indigent senior citizens aged 77 years old and above in the amount of  Php500.00  as mandated under R.A. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The said social pension is given to eligible pensioners who are frail, sick or with disability, without pension from GSIS, SSS, AFPMBAI, and other insurance and with no permanent source of income or regular support from his/her relatives to augment their daily subsistence and other medical needs.

The pensioners were identified by the Local Government Units through the Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Office in coordination with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and DSWD. Presently, there are 39,344 indigent senior citizens beneficiaries of the Social Pension  program in the region.

The celebration culminated with services provided to the  elderly such as   HATAW dance-exercise, free medical consultation, medicines, vitamins and anti-flu vaccine provided by the Department of Health and City Health Office Region 2. ### GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer II