More than one-thousand two hundred senior citizens from various barangays in Binalonan attended on October 25 the annual Senior Citizens Day celebration held at the Ramon J. Guico, Sr. Sports and Civic Center.
The celebration, aimed to honor the country’s elders and to intensify its advocacy in promoting older persons’ rights and welfare was led by the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Binalonan (FSCAB) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the theme “Healthy and Productive Aging Starts with Me.”
Two centenarians and twenty-one 90 year old and above who attended the celebration were given cash gifts by the FSCAB and the municipal officials.
As part of the recognition mandated by the 2016 Centenarians Law the two centenarians, 103 year old, Engracia Corpuz and 101 Maria Perpose from Barangay Pasileng and San Pablo respectively have already received P100,000 each as a gift under the said law.
Speaking at the ceremony Vice Mayor, Melicio F. Patague II who represented 5th District Congressman of Pangasinan, Ramon V. Guico III as guest speaker, thanked the senior citizens for helping support, nurture, and inspire the Binalonians.
Patague mentioned that Congressman Guico has introduced House Bill No. 3295 in the Eighteenth Congress, An Act To Adopt A National Elderly Program As A Strategy To Promote The Maintainance Of The Physical And Mental Health And For Improving The Welfare Of The Elderly.
The Vice Mayor speaking also in behalf of Mayor Ramon N. Guico Jr. said that the municipal government continues to support Senior Citizen’s programs. One of the latest projects provided by the LGU is the service vehicle of the FSCAB.
Vice Mayor Patague further challenged the elderly, “Age doesn’t matter in giving public service. Serve as an inspiration to help other people waiting for your support. Use your talents to the fullest, even as senior citizens you can still move forward to reflect, Binalonan, Ang Galing.”
The vice mayor further encouraged the elderlies to stay healthy by continuing to eat healthy diet, avoiding stress and having their regular check-up as he ended his message.
FSCAb President, Benedicto Tomboc earlier acknowledged all participants and guests in the celebration.
SB Chairman on Senior Citizens Affair, Councilor Jerry Aradanas in his message, enumerated all the benefits of the elderly and raised awareness on the Universal Social Pension bill which is currently being worked in Congress, which includes increasing the pension amount from 500 to 2000 pesos a month for indigent senior citizens.
Meanwhile, the Poblacion Senior Citizens rendered a special musical number.
Municipal officials who graced the occasion were Councilors Glory Jovelyn Manaois, Josephine Caburnay, Noel Apolinario Bautista, Bryan Louie Balangue, Gerry Aradanas, Lorenzo Tambo, ABC President, Rodelito Alibuyog and SK President, Ronald Biado.
Part II of the celebration was the most-welcomed raffle draw with cash, appliances and dry goods as prizes.