Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan urged the residents to honor and respect the senior citizens as she underscored the vital role of grandparents in society.
The lady mayor made the call on Monday, September 30, ahead of the celebration of the “Filipino Elderly Week that will commence on October 1.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna exchanges pleasantries with the city's senior citizens. (Bong Son)
She called on both the elderly and the youth to reject the misconception that older people are no longer useful.
She emphasized the wisdom and knowledge that the elderly bring, which are derived from their diverse life experiences.
“Hindi po ko naniniwala diyan. Alam ho ninyo, napakahalaga po ng ating mga magulang, ng ating mga lolo at lola dahil sila po ang ating unang-unang sinasandalan, kung kaya't ganun na lamang ang pagbibigay natin ng pagpapahalaga sa kanila (I don't believe in that. You know, our parents, grandparents, are extremely important because they are the first ones we lean on, which is why we give them so much value),” Lacuna-Pangan said.
“Maaring sa tingin ninyo ay maliit lang ang ating mga ginagawa, mga munting paraan para iparamdam na tayo ay nagmamahal sa kanila, pero alam n'yo, ang atin pong mga nakakatanda, itong mas maliliit na bagay ang pinahahalagahan nila. Mano ba naman na makapag-abot tayo sa kanila ng maliit na bagay (You may think that what we are doing is small, just simple ways to show them that we care, but you know, our elders truly appreciate these small gestures. It wouldn’t hurt to give them something, no matter how small),” she added.
Lacuna-Pangan also stressed that the honor and respect for the elderly should always be upheld, regardless of the circumstances.
"Patuloy dapat ang paggalang sa kanila kasi minsan, nakakalimutan natin. Sa ganoong paraan, napaparamdam natin sa kanila ang tunay na pagmamahal at pagkalinga. Sa mga nanay at tatay, lolo at lola, lagi ninyong tatandaan na ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila ay lagi ninyong maaasahan (We must continue to respect them because sometimes we forget. In this way, we can show them true love and care. To all the mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, always remember that the city government of Manila will always be there for you),” Lacuna-Pangan said.
During the flag-raising ceremony, the mayor expressed her gratitude to the personnel of the Office of Senior Citizens' Affairs (OSCA), led by Elinor Jacinto, for their efforts in assisting the city government with the distribution of benefits to the approximately 203,000 senior citizens in the city.
Jacinto said that following the mayor’s directives, senior citizens are given priority whenever possible.
Senior citizens receive weekly allowances from the city government through the “Kalinga sa Maynila initiative.
The city government also processes IDs and booklets of the seniors, and provides them centenarian cash gifts, birthday cakes, and “Pamaskong Handog” packages.