AS part of the celebration of Senior Citizens Month this October, the LGU Naga’s City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) announced the 23 senior citizens elected to serve as City Senior Citizens Officials for 2024.

The program, which is in line with the City Senior Citizens Officials Program, provides a unique opportunity for elderly citizens to take part in the city’s governance and administrative processes.

On Monday, September 30, the elected elderlies took their formal oath, stepping into their roles as senior citizen counterparts for key city officials the following day. These counterparts will serve from October 1 to 30, bringing their rich life experiences and insights to the table as they assist in the functions of the city government.

Under the City Senior Citizen Officials Program, senior citizens are appointed as counterparts for the city mayor, vice mayor, councilors, and department heads. This initiative, governed by Ordinance 2022-049, allows one senior citizen from each of the city’s 27 barangays to serve in these roles each October.

The ordinance, authored by City Councilor Gregorio R. Abonal and Youth City Councilor Marie Flor V. Barde, was designed to honor Senior Citizens Month by actively engaging the elderly in public service.

The selected Senior Citizen Officials were chosen from among the presidents of the Barangay Association of Senior Citizens Affairs (BASCA). The Senior Citizen Mayor-elect has the privilege of assigning BASCA nominees to various city departments, ensuring a comprehensive representation of senior citizens in key areas of governance.

Though their term of office lasts only one month, and while they can participate in deliberations without voting power, the senior citizens are given the chance to hold separate sessions to propose measures to the city council.

City Councilor Sonny Rañola, MD, chairman of the Committee on Senior Citizens, lauded the program for its dual purpose. “It not only allows our elderlies to gain valuable knowledge on legislative work but also provides them with a platform to share their wisdom and contribute to the crafting of ordinances,” Rañola said.

Elected this year as senior citizen city mayor and senior citizen city vice mayor is Corazon Abesa and Josefa Rustia, respectively, while elected as senior citizen Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary is Gloria Corod.

Counterpart Senior Citizens City Councilors or Sangguniang Panlungsod Members, are:

Evelyn Hemady, Elena Agpay, Susan Bermejo, Editha Amaro, Purita Besa, Merlaflor Acabado, Aurora Dayto, Jose Ilo, Rosario Velasco, Reynaldo Punzalan, Gloria Chavez, and Ma. Nilda De Guzman.

Department Heads:

Mila Nimfa Opiana (CSWD Officer), Concepcion Castañeda (City Health Officer), Ernesto dela Cruz (HSDO), Anita Delmiguez (PSO), Ruth Zapanta (City Agriculture Officer), Isabel Bael (City Accounting Officer), Corazon Rabuza (ENRO), and Lyndon Teoxon (City Engineer’s Office).

This month-long celebration highlights the importance of engaging the senior members of the community, providing them with the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the city’s progress and development.