A total of 450 senior citizens in Valenzuela City received free eyeglasses from the local government on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian personally distributed the eyeglasses to the elderlies who first underwent visual tests and eye checkups to determine their eye condition.
The program was implemented in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs.
The city government said that optometrists from the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) Optometric Society supported the mayor’s initiative.
It added that the city has initiated various projects since the month October, the Elderly Filipinos Month, nurturing the city’s senior citizens.
The local government passed ordinances for the elderlies in accordance with Republic Act No. 9257 (The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003) to provide them with a more convenient lifestyle.
Under City Ordinance No. 159, Series of 2014, the senior citizens in Valenzuela may watch movies for free in all cinemas in the city during the Elderly Filipino Month, their birth month, and on Valenzuela Day, Nov. 12.
They are also entitled to park their vehicles for free in parking areas in the city under City Ordinance No. 446, Series of 2018.