Seniors seek ‘better representation’ through federation

CEBU, Philippines — A group of senior citizens in Cebu City hopes that the city’s Senior Citizens Federation will finally be realized for better representation of the sector.

The group, called the Senior Citizens Open Organization Towards Effective Reform (SCOOTER) and headed by its president, Rolando Llagono, sought an audience with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to discuss their plans.

Llagono said they had planned to revive the said federation during the administration of the late mayor Edgardo Labella, but it was set aside due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Dugay ra ni natong plano, since last administration pa, ug wala nadayon kay naabtan man gud sa Covid. Unya karong nga nagkatipok ta balik, ato na gyud ning iduso,” Llagono was quoted as saying in a report by the Cebu City Public Information Office.

The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs was then allegedly told by Labella to start the selection process for the federation’s leaders.

“Pero wala man gud natuman to kay daghan ang mga panghitabo sab. Maong karon, niduol na gyud ta sa mayor para matuman na gyud ni. With the creation, mas makabalo ta kung unsa ang mga kinahanglan ug mga additional nga tabang nga kinahanglan nato sa gobyerno,” said Llagono.

Mayor Michael Rama, a senior citizen himself, has assured to fast-track the request of SCOOTER to initiate the process by choosing already the leaders for the federation.

“Kamo na ang mohatag nako. Give me the names dayon para madali ug ma-induct dayon ta,” Rama said.

City Protocol Officer Cynbeth Orellano had also been tasked to coordinate with the group.

“Cynbeth, my protocol officer, will be designated to coordinate with you on your programs and initiatives para madali nato og lihok,” Rama said.

Aside from that, Rama also said he has not forgotten his promise to look for a budget for the purchase of hearing aids, wheelchairs, and medicines for the senior citizens.

“Tagaan nato sila sa ilang mga hangyo kay mapasalamaton kaayo ko ninyo, because you have also been helping me and Cebu to make it better… Basta ang ako lang gyud, di na ta mag-istorya anang nahitabo sa una. Submit to me now the names para di na ta malangan,” said Rama. — JMD (FREEMAN)