Friday, October 10, 2008 City pays tribute to senior citizens
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- More than 800 senior citizens in this city have expressed joy and gratitude to Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and the city administration for making them feel they are "still useful and young once again."
This city paid tribute to their sector in the week-long celebration of "Elderly Week" which ran from October 2 to 7. The event was organized by the city's Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca) and had for this year the theme "Nakakatanda: Huwaran at Yaman ng Bayan."
Osca head Eddie Razon said the Elderly Week celebration has become a tradition which Rodriguez has vigorously pursued and paid much attention to every year. He added that the observance of Elderly week has been anchored on Presidential Proclamation 470 issued by former president Fidel Ramos, declaring October 1 to 7 of each year as a time reserved for senior citizens.
Razon said this year's celebration is bigger as the city administration earmarked a total budget of P300,000 for the welfare of its senior citizens.
He disclosed that for five days, they were treated to a variety of events meant to honor them and which made them feel "young, reinvigorated and important in society."
"There was a medical mission at Heroes Hall, sponsored jointly by the city administration, the Drug Stores Association of the Pampanga and Vicky Vergara of St. Anthony's Drugstore here "and 470 of us received much needed medical attention and care," said Razon.
Razon also described as "well-attended" their Social Upliftment and Teambuilding Session held at a mall where more than 800 elderly citizens joined in a half day of fun exercises and games where many won cash prizes of P1,000 and P2,000. "Even Mayor Oca donated P10,000-cash prizes for us!" Razon exclaimed.
Osca secretary Chris Quiambao added they were provided breakfast, lunch and transportation allowances during the week's celebration.
The tribute was capped with ballroom dancing and a short program where they sang and recited poetry. (JTD)
