Photo by Hamdan Badrudin/BIO
SPECIAL GEOGRAPHIC AREA— The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) launched Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Brgy. Simsiman, Pigcawayan Cluster of this area, a new regular program dubbed “Hadiya: Care Packages for Elderly Bangsamoro” which will provide health care packages to indigent senior citizens.
Hadiya is an Arabic term that means “gift”. The program will provide indigent senior citizens with gadgets and goods that will allow them to monitor their health and take immediate care of their needs, without having to depend on other members of their families.
Hadiya package consists of a digital blood pressure monitor, finger pulse oximeter, thermal scanner, pillbox, disposable facemask, liniment oil, alcohol, adult diaper, hot and cold compress, Talcum powder, relief rub, wooden back scratcher, powdered milk, socks, towel, burn ointment, Betadine, gauze bandage, surgical tape, cotton balls, band-aid, tissue roll, hygiene kits, and relief packs.
Focal person of MSSD’s Older Persons and Persons with Disability Welfare Program (OPPWDWP) Sandra Macacua and MSSD Chief-of-Staff Lyca Therese Sarenas led the initial distribution to 60 senior citizens, as total the SGA has 120 slots for the program.
Beneficiaries from Barangays Simsiman, Buricain, Matilak, Binasing, Balacayon, Patot, Libungan Toreta, Datu Mantil, Kadingilan, Upper and Lower Pangangkalan, and Lower Baguer in Pigcawayan Cluster initially received the health care packages.
According to Macacua, this is a new program of the ministry under OPPWDWP that recognizes the significant role of the Bangsamoro elders in nation-building.
“Ang pinaka-target natin dito ay iyong mga elderly na frail sickly at may mga other health conditions,” Macacua said.
The Ministry is targeting 2,000 senior citizens across the region. Of which, 450 will be coming from Maguindanao, 310 in Lanao del Sur A, 310 from Lanao del Sur B, 250 from Basilan, 310 from Sulu, 250 from Tawi-Tawi, 120 in Special Geographic Area, 95 from Cotabato City, and 95 from Marawi City.
Among the recipients were Penengko Adam, 60, a resident of Brgy. Matilak, and Langka Kusain, 90, from Brgy. Buricain.
Arbaya Ngilan, guardian of Kusain, said, “hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano ako kasaya para sa byanan ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa MSSD at sa buong BARMM kasi ang dami nilang naitulong sa amin—hindi lang sa mga senior citizen. Kumbaga [totoo] iyong sabi nila na walang maiiwan na Bangsamoro.” (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
