October 1-7 is Elderly Week
The contributions of the older persons in nation building will be given more emphasis as the country celebrates the Elderly Filipino Week from October 1-7, 2009.
Pursuant to Proclamation No.470 issued by former President Fidel Ramos every first week of October and every year thereafter is declared as “Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino” or the Elderly Filipino Week in the country.
As part of the preparations in Western Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) VI met the members of the Regional Coordinating and Monitoring Board (RCMB) for the Older Persons in the region to discuss activities that will highlight the celebration recently.
DSWD VI who chairs the RCMB for the Older Persons in the region was tasked to spearhead the annual event. The RCMB is composed of the representatives of the different national government agencies, senior citizens groups and non-government organizations.
In Iloilo City, the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines have lined up activities that will give more color to the celebration starting with a Mass at the San Jose Parish Church, followed by a parade and a program at SM City Mandurriao on October 1.
The remaining days of the week-long event will be marked by programs that will be held at SM City Mandurriao, including the Coronation of the Queen Lola on October 7.
On October 6, the members of the RCMB for Older Persons VI will visit to the Visitorless, Indigent, Sick, Older persons in Asilo de Molo located in Molo, Iloilo City.
To further drum up the event, through the support of the local media, radio and TV guestings will be conducted by the members of the RCMB starting September 27.
Agencies are also encouraged to hang streamers depicting this year’s theme “Nakatatanda: Dangal at Yaman ng Bansa, Noon at Ngayon. (PIA)