ILOILO – The provincial government, in collaboration with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), is planning to establish the first Senior Citizen Community Care Center (SC3C) in Iloilo.
This initiative aims to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of senior citizens within the community.
According to Ann Rapunzel “Rara” Ganzon, Social Welfare and Development Officer IV and Focal Person for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the idea was discussed during a recent visit by NCSC Commissioner Dr. Mary Jean Loreche to Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr.
Before their meeting, Dr. Loreche and her team presented the SC3C plan to Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and the PSWDO, headed by its chief Sarah Barayuga, along with other department officials.
Loreche said SC3C would offer a broad range of services including medical and palliative care, caregiver respite, livelihood training, socialization activities, and disaster preparedness.
“It will adopt a holistic approach where the focus will be on the health and wellness of our senior citizens. It will provide them with livelihood training, social activities to foster engagement, and programs to address dementia,” Ganzon added.
The commissioner emphasized the importance of collaboration among partner agencies to ensure the project’s realization and sustainability. She stressed the need for support, resource sharing, and program complementation.
Once operational, Ganzon said families could leave their senior relatives at the SC3C for a day to engage and participate in the center’s social activities.
Ganzon also noted the possibility of hiring personnel by the provincial government in partnership with concerned government agencies to manage the SC3C.
Approximately P10 million is needed to establish the SC3C, according to Ganzon, and P5 million is already secured from the Senior Citizen party-list.
Governor Defensor has expressed willingness to provide additional funds for the construction.
The proposed pilot site for the SC3C is a lot owned by the provincial government near the Ramon Tabiana District Hospital in Cabatuan town./PN