CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Some 700 elderly leaders from all the provinces of Central Luzon lauded Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda for the best practices benefiting the senior citizens in this province.
Said elderlies, led by Retired Judge Ricardo Agapito of the Regional Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines, attended the first-ever Regional Senior Citizens’ Congress held at the Oxford Hotel here yesterday. They came from the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales.
During the event, Board Member and Chairman of the Committee on Health Crisostomo Garbo presented the province’s best practices on social services for senior citizens, particularly the passing of Ordinance 647 or the “Enactment of the Senior Citizens Code of the Province of Pampanga.”
Under said ordinance, senior citizens of Pampanga, specifically those aged 100 years and above are to receive cash incentive worth P100,000 in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the province’s success today.
Aside from this, the Capitol allots a P1,000 monthly pension for indigent senior citizens that are bedridden for the purchase of their medicines and other needs.
Also, the provincial government grants burial assistance not less than P5,000 for disadvantaged senior citizens. Such benefits are facilitated through the Provincial Council for the Welfare and Protection of Senior Citizens chaired by Governor Pineda.
Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. also noted Governor Pineda’s dedication and concern for the elderly citizens of Pampanga and the whole Central Luzon.
According to Ebdane, the province of Zambales now holds regular medical missions providing free surgery for indigents as inspired by Governor Pineda’s consistent health programs.
The event was also attended by Board Member Cherry Manalo, municipal and city mayors and vice mayors, FSCAP and Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs leaders, and Capitol department heads and employees.
By Angelique DC Tuazon
