1ST REGIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS’ CONGRESS IN CENTRAL LUZON HELD

“TATANDA at lilipas din ako nguni’t mayroong awiting iiwanan sa inyong alaala dahil minsan tayo’y nagkasama.”

This is a line from a famous song especially dedicated to our beloved elderly or senior citizens.

Just recently, Pampanga Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Chairperson of the Regional Development Council III’s Sectoral Committee on Social Development, hosted and made it possible for 1,000 senior citizens from the seven (7) provinces of Region III to come together at the Oxford Hotel in Clarkfield, Pampanga for the first-ever Regional Senior Citizens’ Congress.

The activity aims to provide senior citizens with awareness on Republic Act 10645 which mandates PhilHealth coverage for all senior citizens; DSWD’s pertinent role on social pension; DTI’s tasks on implementation of the 12 percent VAT & 20 percent senior citizen’s discounts on goods and services as well as DOH’s Health and Welfare Programs for the elderly.

Different agencies worked hand-in-hand to make the first Regional Senior Citizens’ Congress a milestone in the Region’s history. Spearheading the activity was NEDA-Region III under the leadership of Regional Director Rogelio Santos, together with the Office of the Governor of Pampanga; and the regional offices of the DILG; DOH headed by Dra. Leonita Gorgolon; DSWD led by Regional Director Gemma Gabuya; DTI led by Provincial Director Elenita Ordonio and PhilHealth led by OIC-VP Lolita V. Tuliao who was represented by Branch Managers Henry Almanon and Dr. Raul Tuquero.

Pineda and Zambales Governor Hermogenes “Jun” Ebdane shared the province’s best practices for senior citizens such as organizing birthday celebrations, constructing the Office of the Senior Citizens, providing for hotel accommodations and various medical services.

As the host province, Pampanga, represented by Board Member Cris Garbo, presented a walk-through of how Pineda gave love and importance to the “ima” and “tatang” or “apo” and “ingkong” through the different benefits such as medical services, the P1,000 monthly allowance for indigent senior citizens, and the Centennial incentive worth P100,000 given to senior citizens who reached 100 years and above as aid in taking good care of them.

The day for senior citizens was filled with laughter and tears, song and dance numbers, poems and declamation as well as fun and surprises. Every senior citizen brought home smiles and stories about the first regional senior citizens’ congress in Central Luzon. # Source - PHILHEALTH