Park, Quezon, Bukidnon, as the municipality of Quezon declared October 1 as
Seniors Day. The celebration is held to recognize the achievements and
contributions of elders in their respective communities.
SUGAR CAPITAL IN MINDANAO- In an effort to underscore the important role of
the elderly in nation-building and to raise and address issues concerning the
sector, the local government unit of Quezon together with private sectors and
stakeholders led the celebration of Senior Citizens Day on October 1, this year.
Thousands of the elderly from the town’s 31 barangays converged for a one-day
unforgettable event, where they participated in various programs and activities.
The event is the second year round celebration after last year’s successful
holding with elderly, and October 1 becomes an official day for them when the
Sangguniang Bayan enacted an ordinance declaring the said date as Senior
Citizens Day.
Municipal ordinance no. 13 th SB-10 declares October 1 of every year as Senior
Citizens Day, where the municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon adopts the policy of
promoting the welfare of Senior Citizens, being an integral part of the society and
contributors to nation-building.
The ordinance provides that various activities shall be determined by the
agencies concerned and must be based on what is needed and beneficial to the
elderly.
Agencies primarily tasked to coordinate and plan out the activities for the Senior
Citizens are the Office of Barangay Affairs (OBA) and Office of the Senior Citizen
Affairs (OSCA). Any other offices/department/agencies may be tapped by the
OBA and OSCA to assist in organizing the activities, the ordinance added.
Funds for the activities shall be included in the annual budget of the municipality.
Said ordinance was approved during the 13 th Sangguniang Bayan in its
21 st regular session on June 1, 2018.
Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue elated in seeing the nearly 4,000 elderly who actively
participated in the one day activity and assured his all-out support in continuing
the yearly event.
Gue extended his warm thanks to the participants from 31 barangays who have
contributed to the progress and development of Quezon town.
Gue added that October 1 is the day of celebrations by giving thanks, providing
support, appreciations and recognizing the achievements and contributions of
the elders in their communities.
Their valuable contributions create a better place to live by and this is valuable,
Mayor Gue said, adding that new generations have many things to learn from
them, listen to their stories of wisdom and experience gain from their hard-earned
knowledge.
With this year’s theme; ‘’Pagpasidungog ug Pagpasalamat sa mga Senior
Citizens sa ilang naambit nga Kahibalo ug Abilidad para sa Maayong Kaugmaon’’
Mayor Gue further stressed that even he is no longer with government service,
still he is visible and reachable for any support.
The Mayor recalled that when he arrived in Quezon (formerly Kiokong) in the year
1962, there were few numbers of households and residents live in the community.
As the years go on, the town’s populations get high and door of opportunities
came in.
It was then the people before, now the elderly who had contributed much the
economic growth and progress of Quezon town thus they deserve to be honored
and recognized.
The last termer political town executive reminds his fellow officials to keep the
senior citizens activity continuing.
Based on the 2010 census, about 7 million-aged 60 years old and over-comprise
our population.
The elders are provided with benefits and privileges, and entitled to different
discount of 20% such as medical related, transportation on air, land and sea,
hotels, restaurants, recreational facilities, places of leisure, theatres, cinemas,
concert halls, circuses, leisure and amusement and funeral services.
Adding on this, the utility of 5% discount relatively to the monthly use of water
and electricity and exemption from payment of individual income tax of those
who are considered as minimum wage earner.
Freebies include free medical and dental services, free vaccinations, government
assistance; social pension, mandatory PhilHealth coverage, social safety nets
and death benefit assistance.
The unforgettable experience of Quezon’s Seniors Day boosts the image of
thousands of elders as they availed several of free services and giveaways
courtesy by different sponsors.
They benefited the health and dental check-up, free medicines, eye care check,
haircut and hair color, massage therapy, pedicure and manicure and giveaways.
Vice Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III pointed out the significance of said event and why
the elders throughout the 31 barangays in Quezon unified and converge at Dona
Resing Park.
The Seniors Day celebrations come into existence in a way of expressing
gratitude, to honor and acknowledge their family and community contributions,
Lorenzo III said adding their past contributions have turned its new landscape
now.
Lorenzo III thanked the barangay affairs, barangay council and other private
entity for making the activity successful, and it seems the day of October 1 is a
reunion for every elder as they gathered together in one venue, he said.
Representing by group and individual from different barangay, the crowd is in
hurray, as elders did their best presentations by showing different talents, like;
dancing, singing, comical, declamation, magical and among others during Senior
Citizens Got Talent show.
Winners are; Puntian (most unique), Sta. Cruz (most comical), San Jose (most
entertaining), Lumintao (most dramatic), Salawagan (most passionate),
Mibantang (crowd favorite), Butong (best in dancing), Paitan (best in singing),
Lipa (best poetic act), Linabo (most original), Kiburiao (best costume), Poblacion
(best in participation), Dumalama (most creative) and Mibantang as over-all
winner.
Hearty lunch was served, laro ng lahi (fun games), raffle draw for FM radio,
distributions of 50 umbrellas, 50 sanitation kits, collar shirts, oatmeal, milk,
biscuit, slippers, cash and distribution of 50 canes for deserving elders and
others capped the celebration.
The second year Seniors Day is made possible thru the municipal government of
Quezon, Bukidnon under the stewardship of Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue, Vice
Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III- Pablo ‘’Tito Poling’’ Lorenzo III in his private capacity,
Del Monte Foundation, KisMuco, SB Store, ABSFI, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya,
local officials, Chris Salos, Fraternal Order of Eagle (Lowan-Lowan Chapter) with
the participation of Senior Citizen Affairs, Municipal Health Office, Philippine
Dental Association, 88 th IB, 4ID, PA, Sangguniang Kabataan, Aktibong Kabataan
sa Quezon and DXQB Radio Kilat.
General Manager Rafael Francisco
Bukidnon Dispatch 