DAVAO City  -The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Regional Coordinating and Monitoring Board (RCMB) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Older Persons (RIACOP) spearhead the observance of the Elderly Filipino Week.

Proclamation No. 470, declares every first week of October and every year thereafter as Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino or the Elderly Filipino Week. This year’s celebration carries the theme, Nakatatanda: Pagtulungan Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa Maginhawa at Masayang Pamayanan.

To underscore the observance, DSWD National Office suggested the conduct of advocacy activities such as Media Launch, Walk for Life, Reading of Message and Prayer at the flag raising ceremony, Forum on RA 9994 or The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, Consultative Conference for Older Persons, Thanksgiving Mass and Photo Exhibit.

Earlier, DSWD met up with heads and representatives of LGUs and national line agencies to report on their respective issues and concerns relative to implementation of programs for older persons. DSWD also conducted radio announcements and interviews to drum up the event and promote the rights and privileges of senior citizens.

DSWD Focal Person on Older Persons Berlita A. Silagan said DSWD will host a culminating event on Thursday, October 10 at the DSWD Conference Hall where the offices of DSWD, DILG, DOH, DOLE, DA, DTI and PhilHealth will provide updates on RA 9994. Recognition of the Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda and Payout of Social Pension to Davao City beneficiaries will also be slated Thursday at DSWD, she added.

Meanwhile, some 51 residents of the DSWD Home for the Aged are celebrating the event through parlor games and a special dinner. DSWD