Various senior citizens organizations in Metro Manila will visit more than 1,000 indigent, sick, frail and visitorless older persons who are sheltered in residential facilities through the Dalaw-Kalinga activity of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Some 68 elderly wards of Hospicio De San Jose were served by senior-citizen delegates from the cities of Manila, Pasig and Malabon. Simultaneous Dalaw-Kalinga were also held over the weekend in Missionaries of Charity in Tondo, Manila, GRACES in Quezon City, Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong, Golden Acres-Haven for the Elderly in Tanay, Rizal and Elsie Gaches Village in Muntinlupa.
Likewise, at least 170 inmates at the National Bilibid Prison were also visited on October 7.
The Dalaw-Kalinga is part of the annual celebration of Elderly Filipino Week which is observed every first week of October. This year’s theme is ‘Nakatatanda: Pagtulungang Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa Maginhawa at Masayang Pamayanan,’ which reflects the need to continuously advocate, promote, and protect the rights and welfare of older persons.
DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said the celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 470 which mandates the annual celebration of Elderly Filipino Week or Linggo ng Nakatatandang Filipino to emphasize the important roles that older persons play in nation-building, as well as raise and address issues concerning the older persons’ sector.
The week-long celebration started on October 1 with a Walk for Life, held at Mall of Asia in Pasay City, participated in by senior citizens from the 17 Local Government Units in Metro Manila. ###