SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Cluster 1 culminated the observance of Elderly Filipino Week through a coastal clean-up drive held at the Taberna Beach in Bauang, La Union, on Oct. 6.
This year’s theme, “Senior Citizens: Building the Nation, Inspiring Generations,” aims to highlight the vital contributions of senior citizens to community development and environmental protection.
The clean-up brought over 100 volunteers composed of various organizations, including the Bauang Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bauang Chapter of the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP).
More than 10 kilograms of litter and debris from the beach were collected by the participants.
As he graced the event, Bauang Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin De Guzman emphasized the importance of community involvement in preserving natural resources.
“Dearest senior citizens, your efforts like this significantly enhance the natural beauty of the shoreline in our town,” Mayor De Guzman said.
Moreover, NCSC Commissioner Reymar Mansilungan underscored that the clean-up activity illustrates how senior citizens are not only vital to communities but also a role model in nurturing the environment.
“This message from our elders and senior citizens to the youth is clear: If we don’t take care of our surroundings, we fail not only ourselves but also our nation. It is our responsibility to maintain a clean environment,” Mansilungan explained.
Throughout the clean-up, participants engaged in meaningful discussions about environmental stewardship and the crucial role of seniors in inspiring future generations.
Cresencia Balagot, one of the senior participants, stressed that their participation as senior citizens demonstrated their commitment to community welfare, reinforcing their position as vital members of society.
“Joining this activity is my way of giving back to the community and showing that we all have a role in preserving our natural resources. Age should never be a barrier to making a positive impact. By taking part in these efforts, I hope to inspire the younger generation to care for the planet, just as we do,” Balagot said.
The event reaffirmed that senior citizens are essential contributors to nation-building and environmental stewardship, inspiring collective action toward a sustainable future. (AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)
