LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Elders took over the halls of the provincial seat of power, Monday morning.
Senior citizens replaced provincial officials this week for the annual Senior Citizen Officials for A Day (Scofad) program catapulting the elderly to officiate the province temporarily.
Provincial Scofad officials were Vicente Puguon, Scofad vice governor and presiding officer from Itogon with board members Nelson Taqued, Tuba; Carlota Lubrica, La Trinidad; Felipa Caramto, Mankayan; Gloria Calama, Bakun; Matso Palacsa, Sablan; Darwin Sali, Buguias; Alexander Andiso, Tuba; Tommy Baucas, Bokod; Dominga Camhit, Kapangan; Arita Lingbanan, Tublay; Florena Kelcho, Scofad PCL president; ex-officio member from Kabayan, Jose Dungga-as, Scofad SKF president; ex-officio member from Kibungan Catalina Amoy, Scofad Liga ng mga Barangay president, ex-officio member from Atok town.
The seniors pushed for legislation for current issues hounding the province such as requesting the Fertilizers and Pesticides (FPA) to issue an order to ban permanently the sale and distribution of an identified lethal herbicide in all farm supply outlets located within the Province of Benguet and Baguio City.
Another measure the Scofad team pushed for was a resolution enabling a senior citizen representative to become an ex-officio member in the Barangay, Municipal Council and Sanggunianq Panlalawigan, respectively, in a bid to make the voice of the elderly heard in the legislative body.
Scofad members also advocated to increase the salary of Provincial School Board paid teachers to a monthly salary P8,000.
The Scofad team during Monday’s regular session passed resolutions pertaining to farm to market roads and benefits for senior citizens as well.
The Scofad program gives a chance for senior citizens to participate in government affairs and include the voice of the elderly in the decision making process of the province annually.