23/10/2025
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐จ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐
๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐
October 23, 2025 โ
Sanggunian Panlalawigan Building, Dao, Pagadian City
The Provincial Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (POSCA), along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), and the Provincial Government, celebrated Elderly Filipino Week 2025 with the theme โEmbracing Age: Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose.โ
The celebration was hosted by Romano Juniver and Jane Oroc, who warmly welcomed all guests and participants. The program began with an opening prayer led by Ms. Evelyn Manalo, OSCA Head of Labangan, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
Princes Jul Baluran, POSCA Assistant Focal Person, led the opening remarks. She expressed gratitude to everyone who continues to support and uplift the welfare of senior citizens across the province.
Adding color and joy to the morning, the Social Work Interns from Southern Mindanao College gave an energetic intermission number.
Provincial Director Dave M. Barrot of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shared the significance of the celebration, highlighting that Zamboanga del Sur is among the first to celebrate Elderly Filipino Week. He underscored that senior citizens serve as guides and nurturers of future generations and that every individual, regardless of age, helps shape the community. Provincial Director Barrot also encouraged everyone to continue promoting the welfare and participation of senior citizens in local development.
One of the highlights of the program was the keynote address delivered by Honorable Governor Divina Grace Yu, who emphasized that the provincial government is committed to ensuring that the elderly sector receives proper care and attention. She announced that starting January 2026, the province will begin implementing a program that provides incentives for senior citizens aged 70 and above. The governor also encouraged everyone to view aging as a privilege and to live with purpose, grace, and dignity.
The event also recognized outstanding municipalities and OSCA Heads through the Search for the Best Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) 2025. The awardees were commended for their dedication and service to the elderly sector.
To keep the festive spirit alive, the Social Work Interns from Saint Columban College presented a heartfelt intermission number dedicated to all senior citizens.
Messages of support followed from Provincial Board Member Hon. Rogelio Saniel, Provincial Board Member Atty. Francisvic Villamero, Regional Director Fernando Sumondong of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), and Provincial Vice Governor Roseller Ariosa. Hon. Saniel, who also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Elders and Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the importance of caring for senior citizens and encouraged them to continue inspiring others: โPlant seeds so that your children and the community will remember you.โ
During the release of honorarium for federation presidents, the province expressed appreciation for the hard work and leadership of federation officers serving senior citizens in their communities.
In the NCSC Updates 2025, Mr. Jorry Padayogdog, Project Development Officer IV of NCSC, shared that more than 350,000 senior citizens across the country have been supported and promoted through various programs. He also announced the winners of the Most Outstanding Senior Citizens Awards, which were developed through the collaboration of NCSC and Officer in Charge of Provincial OSCA, Miriam Acosta-Llanos.
The winners for the Search for the Most Outstanding Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) 2025 were also announced, with Molave taking the top spot, followed by Lakewood in second place, Aurora in third, Tabina in fourth, and Ramon Magsaysay in fifth. In addition, three special recognitions were given: Pagadian City for its best practices, Lakewood for the newly established OSCA during assessment, and Tabina for being the first municipality in Mindanao to establish a Senior Citizens Center.
Zamboanga del Sur also received a national-level award, with Poblacion, Pitogo earning the second certificate for satisfactory compliance. In addition, Ms. Miriam Acosta-Llanos, Provincial OSCA In-Charge, received a special recognition for her continued dedication to the elderly sector.
Mr. Pedro Rupinta, FSCAP Federation President, delivered an inspiring message that reflected his dedication and compassion for his fellow senior citizens.
A touching musical number, โAwiting Handog para kay Lolo at Lola,โ was performed by Mr. Juniver II G. Romano, followed by a fun and lively Zumba session led by the Provincial OSCA Staff, where both guests and senior citizens danced together with enthusiasm and joy.
Officer in Charge of Provincial OSCA, Miriam Acosta-Llanos, thanked everyone who took part in the celebration and reaffirmed the provinceโs continued commitment to supporting the elderly. The program ended with a closing prayer led by Ms. Evelyn Manalo, OSCA Head of Lakewood.
The event concluded on a warm and hopeful note, reminding everyone that aging is not simply about growing older, but about living a life full of wisdom, kindness, and gratitude.
