Elderly Filipino Week 2016 kicks-off | DSWD Field Office CARAGA

Posted on October 6, 2016

picture-1 — Carlito Rosal, 68 years old, dances zumba along with the other participants during the Elderly Filipino Week Celebration

BUTUAN CITY– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga along with the other government agencies and around 2,000 senior citizens participated the kick-off celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week on October 1, 2016 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

Part of the activity is the discussion about the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and Z Benefit package that address health conditions that trigger prolonged hospitalization for senior citizen, Health Club Orientation, Benefits and Privileges of Elderly Filipinos, and Elderly Abuse.

picture-2 — Vice Mayor Jose Aquino delivers his inspirational message

In his speech, City Vice Mayor Jose S. Aquino praised the senior citizens for gracing the activity and participating the zumba dance.

“Akung dakong pagdayeg sa atong mga edaran nga bisan sa inyong pangidaron, miduyog gihapon kamu sa atong activity. Nagpamatoud lamang nga dili babag ang inyong edad nga mag-enjoy kauban sa inyong mga higala (I praise all our elderly who joined with us today. It’s a proof that your age isn’t a hindrance to enjoy together with your colleagues),” said Aquino.

Also, Angelita Amista, Chief of PSU/IDD, updated the participants about the plan of the Department to increase the financial assistance received by the Social Pension beneficiaries.

picture-3 — Angelita Amista, Chief of IDD/PSU, informs the senior citizens on the plans of DSWD for the Social Pension beneficiaries

picture-4 — Wilma Geralla, Focal Person for Senior Citizens discussed to the attendees about Elderly Abuse and its effects.

As to date, there are 88, 201 indigent senior citizens in the region ages 60 and above who have availed the Social Pension program of DSWD in the form of financial assistance. Each beneficiary receives Php500 per month.
On the said activity, the Department of Health (DOH) delivered different services to the elderly, such as FBS screening, Cholesterol screening, Uric acid screening, Elderly vaccination, Nutritional Assessment, and bone scanning, while Philhealth offered updating, registration and giving of Member Data Record (MDR).

This year’s celebration bears the theme, “Pagmamahal at Respeto ng Nakababata, Nagpapaligay sa Nakatatanda”. The week-long celebration includes visitation to Por Cristo Foundation Inc., Regional Senior Citizens’, convention, Press Conference, and visit to Butuan City Jail for the Orientation on RA 10606, and Elderly Abuse. ###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)