Mayor okay with senior center at SRP

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia welcomed the proposal of the City Council to construct a senior citizens’ center at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Garcia said this following the resolution of Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, chairman of the Committee of Senior Citizens Affairs of the City Council, that sought the creation of a senior citizens’ center. It was also approved by the council.

According to Garcia the establishment of a senior citizens’ center in Cebu City has long been planned. He added that he saw a similar facility in Tagum City in Mindanao that stimulated his idea to also have the same here.

He also said it should be built in an open space which to him covers the factors of SRP, a 300-hectare area.

He added that in their memorandum of agreement with the contractors and locators in the SRP, it was stipulated that they must allocate 30% for open spaces. With this agreement, it leaves at least 90 hectares of open spaces in SRP including the roads.

"Dako pa kaayo mabilin for parks and playgrounds mao na nga if ever ato ‘ning ipadayon atong Senior Citizen Center, we can go to the SRP kay daghan pa kaayo tag yuta dira nga open spaces," said Garcia.

However, Garcia clarified that this project isn't included yet in the 2025 annual budget.

Previously, Garcia announced that he has signed the ?17-billion budget proposal for 2025 fiscal year. This will now be up for discussion before the City Council.

It was last Wednesday when Alcover delivered a privilege speech to urge Garcia to conduct a feasibility study in establishing a senior citizens’ center in the city as a place for recreation, education, health, and social programs for the senior citizens.

He said a senior citizens’ center or park should be present for the city to be called as “senior citizen-friendly” as Republic Act 7876 or the Senior Citizens Center Act of the Philippines mandates the establishment of a senior citizens' center in all cities and municipalities to serve as a venue for educational, recreational, social, and health programs and activities for senior citizens.

“We are the Queen City of the south, but somehow, some cities in Mindanao have more advanced facilities for senior citizens…we did not maximize our purchasing power to establish integrated facilities for our senior citizens,” said Alcover.

During the discussion, majority floor leader, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera backed Alcover’s concerns that other cities have more advanced facilities for the senior citizens.

Pesquera said there was a building dedicated to senior citizens in Kawit Island that was demolished.

Councilor Rey Gealon also lobbied the request before the office of the mayor to consider building a hospital dedicated to senior citizens. However, Councilor Mary Ann De los Santos said to consider dedicating a floor for senior citizens at the Cebu City Medical Center which has yet to be finished. — (FREEMAN)