DAVAO CITY—Older people in Davao del Norte were feted to indoor games and ballroom dancing as the provincial government focused on its bid to foster respect among youngsters to the elders and the rest of the senior citizens.
On Wednesday Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said the provincial government “should ensure that everybody, especially the young, know that our elders deserve the respect, courtesy and the recognition of their rights in society.”
As senior citizens, they have the long experience in life that should guide the youth,” he said.
Del Rosario issued the closing speech during the annual Senior Citizens’ Week held in Tagum City, where the elderly were feted to a day of games of chess, dart and other mild sports and to a competition on rondalla and ballroom dancing.
The daylong senior citizens’ activities ended the weeklong event with the theme “Tahora ang Katungod sa mga Tigulang (Respect the Rights of Elders).” The event is held every first week of October.
“And here in our province, we acknowledged our role, that role of the senior citizens, and I believe, as a senior citizen myself, our experience will serve as reminders and examples for the younger generation to learn,” del Rosario said.
He commended the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office and its head, Arlene Semblante, “for sustaining the program of the elderly and seeing to it that our elderly are given the importance that they deserve.”
“And I will see to that before I left this province as governor. Davao del Norte is here to support you, your welfare shall always be upheld. For as long as I am governor of this province, all benefits due for the elderly will be given,” he assured.
There are 60,000 registered senior citizens in Davao del Norte.