Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza joined Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso in the Elderly Week Celebration in Don Bosco, Tondo, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, and reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to senior citizens.

Atienza highlighted the distribution of P300 million in allowances and the provision of free medical services to Manila’s elderly.

“Isa sa mga pangako namin noong una ay magiging prayoridad namin dito sa lungsod na 'to ay pangalagaan ang ating mga lolo't lola (One of our promises from the start was that taking care of our elderly would be a priority in this city),” Atienza said during the event, which offered free x-rays, laboratory services, meals, and the distribution of 20 wheelchairs in collaboration with the Manila Health Department (MHD) and the Office for Senior Citizens' Affairs (OSCA).

Atienza emphasized that taking care of the elderly has been a key priority of her and Mayor Domagoso’s administration, citing initiatives that provide not only health services but also livelihood opportunities through partnerships with private companies.

“Sa totoo lang, noong pagpasok po namin dito sa administrasyong ito, ang dami pong problemang humarap sa ating alkalde. And ngayon, three months into office, marami sa atin ang nakakita na tinupad niya, despite all the limitations, ang kaniyang pangako na alagaan ang mga lolo't lola (To be honest, when we entered this administration, our mayor faced so many challenges. And now, three months into office, many of us have seen that he has fulfilled, despite all the limitations, his promise to care for our elderly),” she said.

The vice mayor also shared a personal story about her long-standing working relationship with Domagoso which began during their early days as young public servants in Tondo.

“Ang aming samahan ay nagsimula nung kami'y bata-bata dito sa Tondo. Noong panahon na siya ay tumatakbo bilang konsehal ng Maynila, doon ko po siya nakilala at doon ko nakita ang kabutihan ng kanyang puso para maglingkod sa mga Manileño (Our partnership began when we were still young here in Tondo. It was during the time he was running for councilor of Manila that I met him, and that’s when I saw the youthful passion in his heart to serve the people of Manila),” she recalled.

Atienza also attended a cash-out and orientation event for District 1 barangay officials regarding the distribution of senior citizen allowances, with a total budget of P300 million earmarked for elderly beneficiaries across the city. A similar program was held in District 2 at the Patricia Sports Complex.

The Elderly Week activities reflect the city’s ongoing efforts to promote the welfare of senior citizens, ensuring that they are not only supported financially and medically but are also recognized as vital members of the community.