AFTER a high-ranked functionary from the National Government visited at the Barp main campus in Baguio to see what activities his office could contribute enhance the welfare of the elderly, Secretary Silvestre Bello III of the Dole (Department of Labor and Employment) also came last March 25, to address the General Assembly gathering that day.
Actually, Secretary Bello could not deliver much verbally because of his voice badly affected perhaps by sudden change in temperature while he was here in Baguio and, presumably, by previous taxing engagements in Metro-Manila and other parts of the country if not the world. But his appearance alone spoke much. Much, much more than the attempted oral speech he was forcing himself to deliver. The thousand in audience that came from near and far to hear him clapped heartily as soon as it was announced that he was already descending the still untiled stair steps down to the BARP amphitheater.
He proved to them that he is a man of his words, unlike other officials who accept invitations only to lightly renege on such acceptance--an act felt quite insulting to Cordillera elders. We know that the words or disseminated desire of elders in the uplands of Northern Luzon are commands to the young. This is the reason why provincial students studying in Baguio City or La Trinidad even missed their scheduled examinations if called upon by the elders (“lallakay”) of their “ili” (community residence) to participate in defense mobilization. Being called a “puus” (worthless coward) by the elders can be a cause of suicide or of self-exile forever for youngsters unless made up for or rectified credibly.
Expectation of elderly leaders should not be taken for granted. Sec. Bello fortunately did not fail in this. His interest in their company was met with their interest and pride to be with him. Thus, when he was attempting to at last leave, he was delayed longer than his stay on stage by warm hand clasps, not just handshakes, and obliged to insisting requests for him and company to join group picture taking for memoirs and possible Facebook entries by younger hands. His tired looks transformed to one of enjoyment that fitted the colorful native attires of the ladies and the smiles of the men.
It is hoped that the sight of the elevator shaft without an elevator carrier will stay in Bello’s memory even only in linkage capacity. By the way, development improvements of Barp facilities are up for partnership or co-venture arrangement. The Barp Multipurpose Cooperative Management may be contacted for that purpose by humanitarian parties or philanthropist friends.
Coop and BOD Secretary Karen Puguon is ready to assist personally or through landline Tel. (074) 446-8954 and CP# +639473181028. Keep in mind that the Center is for all elderly who care or happen to come around with their families and friends, not just the Barp members from the Philippines but from abroad as demonstrated by Madames Corazon Belmonte Obello of Kampala, Uganda and Guadalupe de Guzman of Vienna, Austria who recently joined mutual aid-inspired Barp and hope to rally in in turn their friends and acquaintances.
To give recognition to whom it is due, the two above-mentioned visits were a fruit of the alertness of Barp president/chief executive officer professor Federico Balanag to call the attention of concerned authorities to plight of Filipinos, faithful taxpayers at their apportioned time, who are now entering or about to enter the inescapable department of final departure, as he jestfully refers to retirees or retirables physically ravaged by time.
Bienvenido Chy, general manager of PRA impressed upon Barp members the seriousness of the present administration to push through among other things, with the increase of social security pension while Sec. Bello, among other things also, the attention not to discriminate against elderly citizens regarding employment opportunities. Thank you “ngarud”, Apo Chy, Apo Bello and your respective companions. And of course, Apo Balanag himself with right hand person BFI Secretary “Jean” Favor.
Finally congratulations to original Barpian Narciso Pascua Tabajen for worthily receiving a Sagisag ng Pangulo sa Malacañang (Duterte) watch from Secretary Silvestre Bello III for being the oldest member of BARP Foundation among this year’s birthday celebrators. He is now 90 years of service rich age, having been born on September 10, 1926. Again, congrats, Manong Nars!
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The month of March saw the lined BOD elections in accordance with CDA requirements in Baguio City and La Trinidad. As deeply involved in cooperativism, I had to give media attention to BSUMPC, BARPMPC, BAMARVEMCO, Wasdinsumya despite usual hardship of traffic and conflict of schedules. In BARPMPC, Federico Balanag ran way ahead of his first runner-up Juliet Bagano to lead the “lucky four” of the accepted ten candidates. The two candidates, Conrado Catral and Luz Abella, who, tied for fourth place, agreed to the EleCom decision that Abella serves for the first year and Catral will take over in the second year of the two-year term allotted to them. Crispina Luna, a lone candidate for auditor, was declared re-elected.