GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Hundreds of senior citizens from this city and the neighboring areas are set to benefit from various services in line with the week-long celebration of the 2023 Elderly Filipino Week spearheaded by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
NCSC Commissioner Edwin G. Espejo said they have organized several activities aimed at promoting the health, well-being, and dignity of senior citizens, as underscored by this year’s theme, “Honoring the Invaluable Legacy of Filipino Senior Citizens.”
Slated every first week of October, the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week was set in Proclamation No. 470 issued in 1994. “This occasion allows us to pay tribute to our senior citizens who have made immeasurable contributions to the growth and development of our society. It's a time to honor their invaluable legacy," said Espejo, the commissioner-in-charge for NCSC Cluster 7, which covers Regions X (Northern Mindanao) and XII (Soccsksargen).
On October 5 and 6, NCSC Cluster 7 will hold a free Medical Clinic and Konsulta Forum at SM Mall General Santos Trade Halls. The event, which aims to provide comprehensive health support for senior citizens, intends to serve at least 500 recipients per day.
The two-day activity is in collaboration with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region XII, Local Government Unit of General Santos City, Department of Health XII, Department of Social Welfare and Development XII, Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) XII, Philippine Statistics Authority XII, Philippine Medical Association General Santos City Chapter, Philippine Information Agency, Trento Gaming Corp., General Santos City Hospitals, Brigada Group of Companies, Police Regional Office XII, Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines-General Santos Chapter, General Santos Doctor’s Medical School Foundation Inc, IparANAS Foundation, Balais Dental Clinic, Foodpanda, and #Dolefil Cares.
It combines a free medical clinic in collaboration with the medical community, an informative Konsulta Forum focusing on PhilHealth’s Konsulta Program, as well as health and wellness advocacy campaigns of the City Health Office and PopCom XII. PSA XII, through its Sarangani/General Santos City office, will conduct an onsite processing of the Philippine Identification System, or PhilSys ID, birth certificate, and other related documents.
On October 7, a “Blood Donation Drive for Senior Citizens” will also be held at SM Mall General Santos in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Sarangani/General Santos City Chapter. It is also supported by the City Health Office, PhilHealth XII, and Jollibee Foods Corporation.
"To address the need for a stable and accessible blood supply for senior citizens, we have organized this blood donation drive targeting donors of all age groups. The goal is to secure donations from 300 individuals, ensuring that hundreds of senior citizens benefit from this life-saving activity," Espejo said.
Various groups and institutions have committed to mobilize volunteer blood donors during the bloodletting, among them the Philippine Army’s 1002nd Brigade, Police Regional Office XII, General Santos City Police Office, Viajero Motorsales Inc., Holy Trinity College, and Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges. (Allen Estabillo - NCSC Cluster 7)
