An elderly woman avails herself of the free medical services provided during the culmination of 2023 Elderly Week celebration in the region held on October 10 at Cotabato Regional Medical Center.(Michael Camsa/BIO)
COTABATO CITY – As part of the efforts in prioritizing the social welfare of senior citizens in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) led Tuesday, Oct. 10, the culmination of the first-ever celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week in the region.
Elderly Filipino Week is an annual nationwide event from October 1-7 that highlights the contributions of senior citizens to the progress of the Philippines. This celebration also promotes their social well-being as significant members of the country.
During Tuesday’s activity held at the CRMC Grand Auditorium in this city, MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie reaffirmed the Government of the Day’s commitment to providing social welfare services to various vulnerable sectors, particularly the elderly.
She further emphasized the obligations of families to take care of elderly members as provided under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
“Aside from this, the State shall also adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development in order to address the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities, among others,” said Jajurie, citing the provision under the constitution.
A total of 100 indigent senior citizens, selected by the local government unit of Cotabato City, availed themselves of the free services during the culmination activity.
The CRMC provided free medical consultations, including vital signs testing, and bone, hemoglobin, and glucose screening, among others. MSSD, on the other hand, also assessed walk-in elderly clients who could avail their Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response for Emergency Situations (B-CARES) Program.
Aside from the free services provided, the activity also featured lectures and orientation on healthy lifestyle for seniors, senior citizen benefits and privileges, and the programs and services offered by the MSSD for the elderly.
Rogerio Milarpis, president of the Federation of Senior Citizens’ Association of the Philippines (FSCAP)-Cotabato City Chapter, shared the paramount importance of the activity for the Bangsamoro senior citizens’ well-being.
He shared, “since I am already retired and only dependent upon my monthly pension, my limited monthly income forces me to less prioritize my health and focus more on buying basic necessities.”
“That is why this Elderly Week is a huge help to us,” added Milarpis. He expressed his anticipation for more health programs for senior citizens, particularly those addressing eye and dental care and distribution of free medication.
On the other hand, Dr. Cheridine Oro-Josef, chairperson of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, shared that the CRMC will soon adopt the Above 60f Academy Program, which caters to the needs of the elderly.
“The senior citizens will be given lectures and activities every month regarding their healthcare,” the Doctor shared, highlighting the benefits of the program.
Pioneered in Marikina City, the Above 60 Academy Program commenced with over 20 senior citizens in 2010 and has since expanded to include more than 200 participants, continuing the progress in extending social services beneficial to the senior citizens.
The celebration of Elderly Filipino Week is based on Proclamation No. 470 issued on September 26, 1994, during the administration of then-President Fidel Ramos.
In the Bangsamoro region, promoting inclusive development of the senior citizens and other vulnerable sectors is among the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
