MORE LIVELIHOOD programs for senior citizens in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) are envisioned by community leaders during the Dissemination Summit on December 1 to 2 at Royal Mandaya Hotel.
“The importance of this program is for concerned agencies to understand the needs of senior citizens,” said Bai Annie Sultan-Matalam of the Municipality of Pagalungan.
She added that the primary need of the senior citizens in their area is a livelihood program that will help them sustain their daily needs.
“What we need right now are livelihood programs and training to equip us with the necessary skills to become entrepreneurs by tying up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,” she said.
On the other hand, barangay councilor Emily S. Matalam of Pagalungan, noted that senior citizens have difficulty accessing services.
“Although our senior citizens want to avail of the program and training, it can be difficult because the process of implementation may be too long, especially on the part of local leaders,” she said.
The Municipality of Pagalungan is a first-class municipality in the province of Maguindanao del Sur, Barmm.
On December 2, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Health (DOH), and other government agencies gathered community leaders in Barmm to talk about the situation of senior citizens in the region.
A book launching of “Rhetoric to Action” by Dr. Elmer A. Linao was also held during the event. The book contains stories from the field dedicated to the Bangsamoro people and the senior citizens of Barmm.
The event was graced by Atty. Franklin Quijano, chairman of NCSC, Dr. Ida Yap-Patron, commissioner of NCSC, Dr. Erold T. Beronio, medical officer IV of DOH, and April Joy David of the WHO.
Other attendees include Barmm mayors and barangay officials, and representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Integrated Provincial Health Office-Maguindanao. JDC