The acronym BARP is undoubtedly now a household word in Baguio-Benguet and herearounds. The complete phrase for it is Blessed Association of Retired Persons (Barp) Foundation Inc., an association started in 1999 by a group of seventeen retirees mostly from the then Baguio Tech, now University of Baguio, run by the Bautista couple and family.
The seventeen founding members were Leonardo Abuan, Hilda Adaci, Federico Balanag, Emmet Asuncion, Monroe Taclawan, Bartolome Piquero, Norma Quilan, Bienvenido Barrientos, Augusto Daplayan, Lamberto Doria, Alejandro de Asis, Alejandro Quitoriano, Angelito Barrientos, Franklin Dumaligan, Bernardo Ochoco, Tranquilino Ramos, and Claro Estira.
Of the seventeen, two were women, Norma Quilan and Hilda Adaci. Seven are still alive, namely: Balanag, the two Barrientos, Dumaligan, Estira, Piquero and Ramos, Prof. Balanag carried with him the title of founding President and CEO of the organization which was at first called Baguio-Benguet Association of Retired Persons, Inc. and finally the Blessed Association of Retired Persons Foundation, Inc. (BFI). Soon, among its members was formed the Barp Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which much later became a legally separate entity upon registration with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
Barp grew by leaps and bounds in relatively short time starting with its office the Dap-ayan at then Baguio Tech, now UB, then at historic Session Road, then Otek Street, near Baguio City Hall from where it moved to the present BARP Center for the Elderly at Upper Bokawkan/Buhagan Road, Cresencia Village, Baguio City. This seven-storey building was started in 2012 and supposed to have been completed “ready for use not later than 540 calendar days” with a possible “extension period of 110 days to fully finish other levels and phases of work.” Within 113 calendar days office levels should be ready for occupancy. This last was for all intents made possible but work in other floors met with slow motions and unexplained delays until today in the present state of patience and hope.
With the delay of finishing the building construction including the expected amenities has come the formidable face of expanded expense. This is where the concern of every future beneficiary is now called to extend a hand. For no matter how man wishes the opposite, he cannot escape the inescapable destiny of growing old. The Barp Center is not only for those who bravely conceived and started its construction like the present officers and members of the Barp organization. As its name bears, the building is for “the elderly” of whatever domain or race. BAP has become an international organization that “knows” no boundaries, “where” no color dominates, as its Song of Life intones and resounds, “All mankind forms on sound family where each member is held great.” The life, dream and joy of rightly enlightened Barp member is “to serve as we had served.”
What we are trying to insinuate here is to tell all and sundry that the BARP Center is meant for all needy elderly and their families. Barp members led by the officers are ready to volunteer their care but the venue where to administer humanly such care must at last be finished in all meaning of the word. We need to finish the building at last, especially the function rooms and the elevator from the top to the very ground floor. We hope that the remedial strategies being planned by the present joint Boards of the BFI and BMPC will meet with community sympathy to defray the needed additional expenses now clearly foreseen to be incurred. In fact, now being incurred as sampled by bills sent in by a kind lender bank. A good Christmas thought, indeed to reciprocate and to reinforce!