Outstanding senior citizens feted in gala event, mayor assures support, services and inclusivity through CSWDO, other groups
City officials and senior citizens with their families honored a national awardee and ten (10) outstanding Baguio elderlies during the Seniors ball and culminating activity of elderly Filipino month, Nov. 5 at the Baguio Cultural and Convention Center.
City officials with Congressman Mauricio Domogan, Mayor Benjamin Magalong represented by Executive Assistant Engr. Leandro Tabilog, Committee Chair on Women, Social Services and Urban Poor Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Councilor Paolo Salvosa, and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Liza Bulayungan presented a plaque of recognition to Senior Citizen Margaret Tolero for being one of the national awardees for Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda.
Tolero, from Irisan barangay, received the award from the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for extraordinary contribution and service to the community as proven with documentation such as certifications, photos and videos of her activities. The awardees are from different sectors such as farmers, fishermen, persons with disability (PWD), Indigenous Peoples (IP) representatives, mentors and others. She was nominated by the CSWDO, for being a leader and resource mobilizer, head of senior citizens organization in her barangay and city and an active parole volunteer, among others.
The city officials also presented awards to the 2025 Ten Outstanding Senior Citizens Achievers (OSCAA); Shirley Aptimes Arukod from Brookside, Virgilio Floresca Bautista of Upper QM, Erlinda Calisura Erardo of Fort del Pilar, Marilyn Flordeliza Martinez of Greenwater Village, Mercedes Ordinario Natarte of Upper San Vicente, Josephine Mad-et Ngolab of East Gibraltar, Alex Garcia Reyes of Pinsao Pilot, Arsenia Balisong Tudlong of Upper Rock Quarry, Regina Supsup Valencia of Lourdes Proper, and Bernardo Mangaoang Vergara of Upper QM barangay.
The awardees were chosen after the elderly month steering committee carefully considered their education (15%), business/job (5%), personal qualities and character traits (15%); achievements and accomplishments (30%); community involvement and service (30%) and awards received (5%).In his message, Mayor Magalong assured the senior citizens that they are honored for their love, sacrifice and service and that growing old is not a limitation but a new chapter in life that deserves respect, joy and meaning.
The elderly have built the city’s foundations, the mayor emphasized, thus appreciation should be expressed beyond words, as programs for the elderly are strengthened through the CSWDO, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the Federation of Senior citizens for the elderly; to be seen, heard and supported. Health services, wellness activities, livelihood support and social inclusion is available, he said.
The mayor also exhorted the youth and their families to love and value the elderly as life’s wisdom and example is learned from them.Other speakers, CSWDO Bulayungan and Councilors Tabanda and Salvosa also echoed the message of appreciation for the elderly; for their dedication, resilience, perseverance and as inspiration and role models for the youth.
The steering committee is led by Councilor Tabanda, and CSWDO head Bulayungan with members Atty. Luz Balisong of the National Commission on Senior Citizens, Ms. Edita Ibarra of the Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association, Ms. Flora Balaba of the Philippine Government Retirees Association (PGRA), and Mr. Laurito Alinao of the Office of the Senior Citizens Association (OSCA).
The theme for this year’s elderly Filipino week celebration is, “Embracing Age, Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose.” – jgfianza
