Pasig constructing a senior citizen center 

Pasig City Mayor Vico said that a senior citizen center will be built in the city, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

Speaking to participants of the Pasig Seniors Conference, Sotto announced they are currently looking at possible land to buy for the center.

Back in August 2022, the local government said they expanded their lot inventory to search for sites to build more school infrastructure. Available lots in various barangays were surveyed in order to address the city’s lack of classrooms and facilities.

“’Yung isang bahagi gagawing school tapos ‘yung katabi po noon ‘yung senior citizen center. Iyan po ang aabangan natin sa darating na panahon (A portion of the lot will be for the school building. Beside it would be the senior citizen center. We are looking forward to this in the future),” Sotto said.

Sotto withheld the location of the lot since the local government is still finalizing the details of the plan.

It will not be constructed within the year, he said, but they are planning it in advance.

“Nakikita natin sa ibang LGU, meron silang gusali na dedicated sa mga senior citizen. Pwedeng gamiting pang-meeting ng mga asosasyon natin. Pwede [rin] pang amusement, pang-relax (We see that other cities have buildings dedicated to senior citizens. They may be utilized for meetings between associations, for amusement, or for relaxation),” he said.

Sotto stressed the soon-to-rise center will be different from the senior citizen park, which the local government set up and renovated within the RAVE rainforest park to create more senior-friendly open spaces.

In celebration of Elderly Filipino Week, a seniors conference was held from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., and continued from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Narra and Sampaguita Halls of the Youth Development Center (YDC).

The mayor urged the conference attendees to continue cooperating with the local government to improve the services and programs catered to senior citizens.

He also asked them to coordinate closely with the Pasig City Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) for any inquiries, clarifications, and updates.

Senior festivities

Aside from the seniors conference, the local government, headed by the OSCA, organized two fun-filled days of activities for the seniors of Pasig to enjoy.

The Seniors Zumba Fest kicked off the two-day festivities as groups clad in bright-colored costumes danced to win cash prizes from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the RAVE Amphitheater.

The top 3 winning Zumba groups will receive P10,000 for first place, P7,500 for 2nd place, and P5,000 for third place.

The Pasig Seniors Fair was opened on Thursday, Oct. 6, and will run until Friday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the RAVE (Rainforest Adventure Experience) Park in Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City.

The fair offered various interactive activities for seniors to enjoy such as an urban farming workshop, in cooperation with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). Participants were taught how to grow vegetable plants at home, create a vertical garden, and were given free vegetable seedlings.

In partnership with the Department of Family and Community Medicine of the Rizal Medical Center, the Pasig City Health Department (CHD) gave free geriatric health assessments at the fair’s health care corner.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., an employment fair for seniors, involving three private companies (Acabar Marketing International, Inc., Clear Source BPO, Jolly Management Solution Inc.) was also held.

Interested applicants were asked to bring a photocopy of their senior citizen ID, barangay clearance, and resume (or biodata).

An orientation for the hired senior citizens was planned on Friday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Seniors who were avid photography enthusiasts were also enticed with a photo fest and online photo-liking contest.

Contestants were tasked to submit the best picture they took at the fair, which will be shared on the Pasig OSCA Facebook page from 3 p.m. of Oct. 6 to 10 a.m. of Oct. 7. The photos that will gain the most hearts or likes will receive cash prizes (P3,000 – 1st place; P2,000 – 2nd place; P1,000 – 3rd place).

Other contests were an on-the-spot talent contest, and a barangay senior citizen association booth competition.

Other amenities in the fair included a photobooth with free souvenir photos, an advocacy booth, and the Pasig Memorya and art corner.

On Friday, senior citizens will gather at the RAVE Amphitheater for the “Harana Para Kay Lolo at Lola” concert from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Elderly Filipino Week is annually celebrated every first week of October, from Oct. 1 to 7, through Proclamation No. 470, declared by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994.