This year’s celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week  was marked by clamor of senior citizens for the  protection of their rights. Thus, the theme, “Igalang ang Nakatatanda at ang Kanilang mga Karapatan.”

This ensued following   reports of elderly abuse, some of which even went viral on social media.

In the region, DSWD leads the celebration together with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Tuguegarao City Chapter, Federation of Senior Citizens Affairs (FSCA) and other senior citizens organizations by urging the public and commercial  proprietors  to respect the rights of the senior citizens particularly the benefits and privileges under R. A. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

“The mandated discount on certain goods, commodities, utilities and services under the law should be strictly followed by commercial establishments lest the senior citizens be deprived of their rights,” said Ms. Lucia S. Alan, Protective Services Unit Head of DSWD Field Office 02.

She likewise assured the public that DSWD, being the lead agency in social protection, sees to it that social protection programs of the government, such as the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens are implemented.

Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens provides a monthly stipend  of P500 to indigent senior citizens as mandated by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and who are who are 65 and above, frail, sickly and disabled, without a regular source of income and/or support from any member of the family, and not receiving other pension benefits from government and private agencies.

A Medical/Dental Mission and Legal Clinic of the Commission on Human Rights capped off the celebration by providing services to the senior citizens as a show of gratitude to the elderly who have been instrumental in nation building. ### By: Gela Flor R. Perez, Regional Information Officer II