BACOLOD City – The city government here is set to establish a Senior Citizens Center (SCC) that will serve as the primary facility for the implementation of programs, services, and activities dedicated to the elderly population.
The SCC will be housed at the Annex Building of the Bacolod City Government Center, as outlined in Executive Order No. 1 signed by Mayor Greg Gasataya on June 30, his first official directive upon assuming office.
Currently, the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) is operating from a temporary space at the Bacolod Public Plaza, following its relocation from the ground floor of the old city hall, which is undergoing rehabilitation.
Mayor Gasataya emphasized the need for a permanent and fully functional center that would serve as a venue for the delivery of essential services to senior citizens, including health and wellness programs, recreational and educational activities, skills development and livelihood support, counseling and social welfare assistance, and access to government benefits and services
“This center will promote the social, physical, and emotional well-being of our senior citizens, and will ensure they remain active participants in community development,” the mayor said.
Under the EO, the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) will directly supervise the SCC in coordination with the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) and OSCA.
The city government has committed to allocate sufficient personnel, equipment, and budget for the center’s operation and maintenance.
The SCC will also house various department offices that cater to senior citizens, such as DSSD, OSCA, City Health Office (CHO), City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (CCLDO), and the City Tourism Office
The DSSD and OSCA are also tasked to coordinate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, private institutions, and national government agencies to ensure effective program implementation and maximize resources for the benefit of the elderly sector./PN
