More than 1,000 senior citizens gathered in Butuan City on Thursday to open the Elderly Filipino Week celebration, highlighting their enduring contributions to families, communities and the city’s development.

Elderly Filipino Week is observed during the first week of October to recognize the dignity, rights and welfare of senior citizens and their ongoing contributions to their families, communities and nation-building.

Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun led the opening program, which was followed by a “Walk of Life” activity.

“Our senior citizens play a vital role in nurturing and raising our children, and through their contributions, they have become an important part of shaping the progress and development of our city today,” Fortun said during the opening program.

Fortun also assured the city’s senior citizens of the local government’s continued support, particularly with the expected operationalization of the Senior Citizen Center this year.

“The center is a place where programs and services for our senior citizens can be further enhanced and expanded,” Fortun said.

During the opening celebration, the City Social Welfare and Development Department also deployed its Mobile Kitchen to serve hot meals to participating senior citizens.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Nakatatandang Pilipino: May Halaga at Karapatan, May Boses at Ambag sa Bayan.” (PNA)