Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced on Monday, July 1, that an amendment to the Senior Citizen Code has been made, allowing the elderly to participate in budget formulation, planning, implementation, and evaluation of city projects to make the city government more inclusive.
As the city continuously explored ways to improve and enhance its services, Sotto and the City Council made this amendment to implement reforms across all sectors of society.
The Senior Citizen Code was made with the help of City Councilor Pao Santiago, as Sotto emphasized that the senior citizen sector is one of the most important sectors in the city.
He also acknowledged that misunderstandings sometimes arise among senior citizen groups in the city, particularly regarding which group should be recognized or involved in city government processes.
“Inamyendahan po natin ang ating Senior Citizen Code at ito po yung nakita natin na bagong mekanismo kung saan mas inklusibo po tayo. Hindi lang po yung kung sino yung malakas sa mayor o kung sino yung kaibigan ng mayor kundi lahat ay kasama (na ire-recognize ng LGU) (We have amended our Senior Citizen Code and this is what we have seen as a new mechanism where we can be more inclusive. It's not just who has a strong connection with the mayor or who is the mayor's friend, but everyone is included to be recognized for their needs by the local government),” he said.
Sotto stated that it was the first time that all senior citizens in each of the 30 barangays in the city were given the right to choose their respective barangay senior citizen representative.
The mayor explained that the 30 elected senior representatives will form the Board of Barangay Senior Representatives, which will act as a recommendatory body to the Elderly Council.
He said that two of the representatives, one for District 1 and one for District 2, will serve as members of the Elderly Council.
The Elderly Council is a local special body focused on senior citizens' affairs, where all projects, programs, and activities concerning senior citizens will be deliberated.
He also said that senior citizens will have representatives in the City Development Council, where all programs, projects, and activities of the city government are discussed.
Sotto expressed his gratitude to all elderly representatives and all residents, acknowledging everyone’s efforts in implementing positive changes that will benefit all Pasigueños, as he stated that one way of introducing change is by changing the style of governance and one way of doing this is to be more inclusive.