Bicol joins celebration of "Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino"
by EE Jerusalem
Legazpi City (21 October) -- With much enthusiasm and vigor, more than a thousand 1,000 elderly from 41 barangays of Tinambac, Camarines Sur gathered at the town's sports complex to celebrate the 16th foundation anniversary of the Municipal Senior Citizen's Association (MSCA) last October 6.
Remia T. Tapispisan, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol regional director, assisted by Tinambac Mayor Ruel Velarde, vice mayor Jun Barrion and MSWD officer Nilda Avalla, led the distribution of the cash grant to the first 225 qualified recipients.
Aside from the cash grant, the local government unit also sponsored the meals and distributed groceries, kitchen utensils and other goodies.
Highlight of the day's event was the distribution of the P500 cash grant under the "Katas ng VAT, Tulong kay Lolo at Lola". About 995 elderly from Tinambac town benefited from the program.
Velarde related that the municipal elderly organization was first organized in October 1993 coinciding with the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week then.
In this city, the weeklong celebration kicked-off with the "Walk for Life" and a fashion show held at the Landco Plaza here participated in by the different Barangay Senior Citizens Association (BASCA).
Meanwhile, Tapispisan has awarded the Certificate of Accreditation to the Office of Senior Citizen's Affair (OSCA) of Irosin, Sorsogon, through Mayor Lilia Gonzales and OSCA chair Helen Baldenoro; and in Nabua, Camarines Sur, through Mayor Fernando Simbulan, OSCA head Narciso Florin.
She explained that the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week or "Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino" held every October 1-7 of every year is in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 470 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos. It aims to pay tribute to the older person in the country. (DSWD/PIA) [top]
