BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) continues to provide opportunities for the empowerment of the elderly.
In partnership with various government agencies, the NCSC opened the KASENIOR, Livelihood, Training & Benefits Fair at SM City Baguio on October 1, 2024 in celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week.
With the theme, “Senior Citizens-Building the Nations, Inspiring Generations,” the event aims to honor the invaluable contributions of senior citizens to the nation while providing them with essential resources and opportunities for continued personal growth and empowerment.
The fair featured a range of government booths designed to offer onsite assistance to the elderly.
Senior citizens availed of various services, such as PhilHealth’s E-Konsulta package guidelines and registration, business counseling from the Department of Trade and Industry, free seeds from Department of Agriculture, and online registration for new NCSC members.
These services were specifically tailored to address the diverse needs of elderly Filipinos, from healthcare access to livelihood opportunities. Ernesto Ronquillo, a former overseas Filipino worker, expressed his appreciation for the assistance he received.
“I know the young people now is always depending on their lolos and lolas, not unlike before, we don’t care about the elder(s). Nobody will care,” he remarked after receiving business counseling from DTI.
Ronquillo highlighted how events like this reflect a shift in societal attitudes toward the elderly, providing them with much-needed support and recognition. Recolectica Agamata, another beneficiary, shared a similar sentiment.
“Ngayon lang narerecognize mga senior eh. Sympre masaya kami na mga senior. Ngayon na senior ako, meron na itong mga benefits namin,” she said, expressing her gratitude for the recognition and benefits senior citizens receive.
The KASENIOR Fair is scheduled to run until October 6, 2024, providing senior citizens with continued access to government services and livelihood opportunities.
The Elderly Filipino Week is an annual event established under Republic Act 9994, series of 2010 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, and Proclamation No. 470, which declares the first week of October as Elderly Filipino Week to give importance on their role in nation building. (JDP/DEG/Kate Cabañero-PIA CAR, PIA SLU Intern)
