GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has kicked off the celebration of the 2024 “Elderly Filipino Week” on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
Hundreds of senior citizens, representatives from government agencies, and other stakeholders joined the celebration at the covered court of the South Cotabato provincial capitol.
This year’s commemoration, themed “Senior Citizens: Building the Nation, Inspiring Generations,” focuses on the vital contribution of senior citizens to society and encourages respect and appreciation for the elderly, promoting intergenerational solidarity and learning.
Earlier, Commissioner Edwin Espejo of NCSC Cluster 7 (Regions 10 and 12) said the event celebrates and recognizes senior citizens’ role in nation-building and their lifetime contributions to the country’s progress.
“It is in accordance with Proclamation No. 470, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos, designating the first week, October 1 to 7, as the elderly Filipino week,” he said during the “Kapihan sa PIA” recently.
He noted that “we are now on our 30th year of celebrating the National Elderly Filipino Week,” paying tribute to the contributions of the senior citizens in building the nation.
Espejo stated that except for the opening day in Koronadal City, the majority of the remaining activities will take place in General Santos City, such as bloodletting, medical missions, and the newest tree planting.
The NCSC has also extended the elderly Filipino week from October 1–7 to October 8 to accommodate physicians and medical doctors in Region 12 who are unable to attend due to “national conventions.”
The commissioner also highlighted the importance of commemorating senior citizens for their resilience, values, and community involvement, which can inspire younger generations.
“We want to bridge the gap between the new generation and the senior citizens, napi-feel natin na ‘yung values natin noon ay hindi na gaanong napapractice ngayon, dahil nga sa mabilis na pag-unlad ng ating teknolohiya, minsan ‘yung mga nakasanayan o nakaugalian natin katulad nga ng pagmamano, paggamit ng ho at opo, nawawala na ‘yun,” he said.
(The rapid advancement of technology has led to a decline in traditional values and habits, such as traditional greetings, and the use of ‘ho’ and ‘opo’ also seems to disappear.)
Espejo hopes that the event will be able to showcase the contributions of senior citizens in building communities and preserving values, respect, and traditions for future generations. (SRP – PIA SarGen)
