The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has called on all sectors to work together in building a caring society for the elderly, as it recognized the senior citizens’ contributions to nation-building.

The DSWD said both public and private sectors should ensure that the rights of the elderly are safeguarded.

“The Department urges all sectors to work together in building a caring society where the rights of older persons are protected and respected,” it said as the nation celebrates the heroism of seniors during the Elderly Filipino Week (EFW) slated on Oct. 1 to 7.

In his message, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista cited the crucial role of seniors in nation-building.

“Naniniwala ako na sa kabila ng limitasyon at balakid dulot ng iba’t ibang sirkumstansya gaya ng pandemya, ay marami pa rin sa mga senior citizen ang patuloy na nagtatrabaho para sa kanilang mga pamilya, at nag-aambag sa ating komunidad (I believe that despite the limitations and challenges posed by various circumstances such as the pandemic, many senior citizens still continue to work for their families, and contribute to our community),” he said.

As a lead agency in social protection, the DSWD vowed to continue providing services and support to the elderly sector such as social pension program and the centenarian incentive.

“Amid granular lockdown in some areas, the DSWD continues to distribute the stipend of indigent senior citizen-beneficiaries of the social pension program across the country,” it said.

“Further, the Department continues to provide the centenarians with the P100,000 incentives as mandated by Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 in honor of their longevity and contributions to nation building."

The EFW celebration with the theme, “MahALAGA sina Lolo at Lola Ngayong Pandemya” is spearheaded by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) in partnership with the DSWD, different national government agencies, non-government organizations, and senior citizens’ organizations.

“The observance of EFW aims to underscore the contributions of the senior citizens and centenarians in every Filipino community, as well as to raise awareness and address the issues concerning them, most especially during the onslaught of a global health crisis,” the DSWD said.

During the opening ceremony on Oct. 1, NCSC Chairperson Atty. Franklin M. Quijano cited the need to work together to ensure that the rights of senior citizens are respected and promoted.

“The NCSC urges the government, from the national to the local levels, to undertake the necessary steps to heighten the focus in improving the lives of our senior citizens, in all aspects of their lives. Let us all pray that we will be liberated from this pandemic, pray for mutual love and protection, that our nation will once again be restored into the path of strength, resiliency and progress,” Atty. Franklin M. Quijano said, keynoting the event.

The NCSC is expected to premiere Productive Seniors in Nation Building video, which will feature a centenarian and a senior citizen, who have both contributed in their communities. The video will be posted in NCSC’s official Facebook account on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Proclamation No. 470 mandates the EFW celebration highlighting the significant role of the elderly sector in nation-building and in advocating for the promotion of their rights and welfare.