IN celebration of the 152nd birthday anniversary of Filipino hero Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the P53-million home care facility called Bahay Kanlungan Tahanan nina Lolo at Lola in Barangay Maysan finally opened its doors to abandoned and abused elderly and differently-abled individuals.
The establishment of Bahay Kanlungan was mandated by City Ordinance 863, Series of 2021. This directive, likewise, seeks to provide the aged and persons with disability or impairment (PWDIs) residing in the city and even nonresidents with “equitable access to medical and physical home care through personalized and intelligent evidence-based psychosocial and spiritual modalities.” It is pursuant to Republic Act 7876 or “An Act Establishing a Senior Citizens Center in All Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines and Appropriating Funds Therefore,” and Republic Act 10070, or the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.”
“We owe a lot to our senior citizens and our PWDIs,” said Councilor Bimbo dela Cruz, ordinance author, which is why we pushed hard for this project. “As they say, true progress is measured by how we treat the most vulnerable members of our society.”
According to Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian, this is the third facility in Valenzuela City that they built exclusively for three of the most vulnerable sectors.
“Our first halfway house, Bahay Kalinga, was created with our neglected and abused children in mind. The second one, Bahay Pag-asa, was established for our juvenile offenders or children in conflict with the law [CICLs]. And now, we proudly open Bahay Kanlungan for our abandoned and neglected seniors. These three residential facilities will surely complement each other,” he said.
To date, Valenzuela City is the only local government unit in Metro Manila that has separate halfway houses for the three marginalized sectors. Its first two halfway homes have been accredited and recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their holistic program and for the facilities’ adherence to the state’s requirements.
Part of Bahay Kanlungan’s thrust is to ensure that the beneficiaries get intensive long- or short-term home care services in the form of medical attention, psychotherapeutic treatment, psychosocial intervention, or spiritual care.
Part of the plan is to offer vocational training, technical education and skills training to its residents once it partners with learning institutions like the Valenzuela City Polytechnic College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, and others.
The residential facility was designed like an old Filipino house, which lends it a nostalgic but cozy vibe and homey feel. While it only has a 60-bed capacity, Bahay Kanlungan is spacious enough to initially cater to 75 elderly residents and those adults with mental illnesses originally from Bahay Kalinga.
It also has a dining area/multipurpose hall, an administration office, clinic, a receiving area, a kitchen, and laundry area on the ground floor. The second floor houses a two-room female sleeping quarters, a lounge/entertainment area, and an isolation room. The third floor sports the same layout but is reserved for the male clients. A garden with open spaces is on the fourth floor—perfect for those who want to exercise, relax, and engage in other physical activities.
Exactly a week after its opening on July 9, Bahay Kanlungan started to accept clients on Friday. Admitted voluntarily or compulsory, qualified Valenzuelano senior citizens and PWDIs will be charged depending on the applicant or his/her immediate family’s income. Rates range from P3,900 to P5,000 a month. Indigents are given refuge pro bono.
Meanwhile, non-city residents will be billed P15,000 monthly. They will also shoulder all medical expenses that they have accumulated while admitted in Bahay Kanlungan. Collected fees will be used for the various home care services offered by Bahay Kanlungan.
The four-story building is a product of the partnership between the City Government of Valenzuela and the Department of Public Works and Highways, through the efforts of Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian.
As for another development, the Bahay Kanlungan Office was also created for administrative and operational concerns of the home for the aged and disadvantaged members of society. It is linked to the Office of the City Mayor and the City Social Welfare and Development Office for policy and program coordination and funding.
1 comment
Pwede po makahingi ng cp number ng bahay kalinga