THE Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (Osca) in San Juan City has proposed a P1.023- million budget for its annual Gender and Development (GAD) Plan for year 2016 to 2019.
Teresita C. Cumba, Osca head, said the budget will be allotted for the activities of the 20,000 senior citizens of the city. The activities include camaraderie, sportsmanship, physical fitness, the annual Elderly Week, and Walk for Life.
“We have yet to receive the official approval from Mayor Guia G. Gomez for our proposal. But, I have heard that she already approved it during our recent visit in Cebu,” Cumba said in an interview.
Cumba was referring to the city government’s recent visit to Cebu City on July 22 when both cities forged a sister-city agreement.
Cumba said the budget, once approved, will help in their goal to enlighten, empower and energize the seniors to be active in the community.
Of the proposed budget, P243,750 will be allotted for “Paskuhan ni Lolo at ni Lola” for the bedridden and sick senior citizens from District I and II; P44,600 for the annual certificate cash award and grocery, especially for the four centenarians of the city; P46,000 for the “Healthy Lifestyle ni Lolo at ni Lola”; and P220,000 for the Elderly Week celebration and Walk for Life in San Juan City at the Mall of Asia Arena for the regional Gawad Kalinga and for the tokens of the participants.
The budget will also assist in the monthly monitoring and validation of senior citizens in every barangay and the continuous advocacy of Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.
Last June 20 Gomez said the senior citizens participated in the annual Ground Golf Tournament at the Pinaglabanan Shrine.
“We want them to be active and to enjoy. We have regular zumba, aerobics, bicycle and walking,” Gomez said, adding that these activities will help develop a positive and healthy outlook among the city’s aging population and encourage social interactions with their peers.