Rights of elders will always be protected – Mayor
“I want to tell you that I count, older people everywhere in the world count, and that people of all ages should always be included in the development goals of the family, community, city, and country.”
This was the message of Mayor Benjamin Magalong read by councilor Jose Molintas during the city’s 2022 Elderly Month Culminating Program, October 26, at the Beneco Conference Hall, with the theme, “Older Persons, Resilience to Nation Building”.
“Aging is both an opportunity and a challenge. Today we encourage you to look at the elderly population positively and not a burden to society. We must invest in them as much as we invest in the youth. The creativity of the youth and experience of the elderly, if put together, will surely contribute greatly to our society,” his message stated.
In the local administration’s advocacy of ‘good governance beyond politics’, the Mayor assured that the rights of elders will always be protected and advanced in securing benefits that would not only prolong their life but give them a ‘meaningful way of living”.
“Rule of thumb, respect. There are so many ways to show respect to elders, by way of including them in the decision making or law-making process. Never forget that these elders made a great contribution for us to enjoy what we have right now,” his message stressed.
The Mayor urged that it is “high time that we eradicate the notion that elders are ancient. We are legends. The duty today is to pass on the values we have learned that molded us to who we are today to the next generation.”
In their messages, both councilors Elmer Datuin and Betty Lourdes Tabanda also emphasized the important role the senior citizens continue to play in society and that more benefits be afforded them now that they are in their ‘twilight years’.
The program included the presentation of the Sampung Ulirang Nakakatanda (SUN) Award to Edita Ibarra and Outstanding Senior Citizens Achievers Award to Victorio Afalla, Josefina Bongloy, Violeta Garcia, Nellie Olairez, Manuel Palor, Mercelita Rivera, and Andrew Sagandoy, Jr.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs spearheaded the event in partnership with the Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association, Philippine Government Retirees Association, Blessed Association of Retired Persons, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, and United States Armed Forces of the Philippines. – Gaby B. Keith
