By:
Sheila Covarrubias
ZAMBOANGA
CITY,
July 23 (PIA) - - Members of the Federation of Senior Citizens
Association in Zamboanga City have expressed deep appreciation to Mayor Celso
Lobregat for his extreme concern for the welfare of the senior citizens through
the implementation of various projects and programs.
The
federation, headed by President Corazon Herico, presented the mayor with a
certificate of appreciation conveying the group’s profound gratitude for the
chief executive’s “ever constant promotion of multifarious programs and
projects most especially for the benefit of the elderly sector”.
The
federation on Friday had its City-wide Consultative Evaluation Conference where
the members assessed the group’s accomplishments as well as discussed the plan
of action for the next 6 months.
Most
significant in the list of the city’s programs for the welfare and protection
of the senior citizen sector are the establishment of senior citizen buildings
in the different social welfare districts in the city.
Through
Mayor Lobregat’s initiative, senior citizen buildings are now constructed in
Ayala, Sta. Maria, Vitali, Culianan and in Boalan. Ongoing construction is the
building for the elderly in Labuan while plans for the implementation of the
same project are afoot in Tetuan and Curuan and other areas.
These
centers are intended to be venues for use of senior citizens for gatherings,
meetings, elections, medical outreach programs including recreational
activities.
Apart
from these programs, the Lobregat administration also includes senior citizens
in the city’s Philhealth program.
To
oversee the programs and projects for the welfare of the senior citizens, the
city has also established the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)
supervised by the City Social welfare and development Office under Francisco
Barredo and Councilor Nonong Guingona, who is the chairman of the Council
committee on elderly and disadvantaged group.
Mayor
Lobregat has time and again reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering support
to the senior citizens sector, citing the crucial role of the elderly group in
community-building.
Senior
citizens, he said, remain to be the symbol of knowledge and wisdom in the
community and therefore should be given utmost attention and consideration.
Aside
from Councilor Guingona, Councilors Lilia Nuño and Noning Biel also graced the
gathering of the senior citizens along with Barredo and Abdurahim Keno, a
consultant in the Office of Cong. Beng Climaco. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA9-ZBST)