The PHP13.5 million two-story Senior Citizen Building funded by the Senior Citizens Party-list was formally opened at the Alta Tierra Village in Jaro district, this city on Tuesday.

In an interview, Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, who led the building’s inauguration and blessing, said the facility will serve as a center for the elderly to hold various activities.

Ordanes said the construction of buildings for senior citizens across the country is one of the advocacies of their party list, providing them with a facility where they can gather and bond.

He said it is important for senior citizens to be busy so they won’t get old faster and avoid having dementia.

Matilde Treñas, special assistant to Mayor Jerry Treñas, said they will introduce skills training to the senior citizens in the Jaro district, particularly crochet.

“We wanted to maximize the use of our senior citizens center. Some of our elderly are just left at home, watch television, and wait for members of their family to come home. This time, they have something to look forward to because they have a center where they can mingle with their fellow senior citizens,” she said.

She said they started in Arevalo district where the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) introduced a trash to cash program.

Under the program, old boxes are recycled as organizers and tissue holders, among others.

In Mandurriao, senior citizens were trained in rug-making.

In addition to holding events, senior citizens can secure forms at the center rather than going to the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Office at the city hall.

Ordanes, meanwhile, said the removal of the purchase booklet as a requirement when buying medicines is good news for senior citizens, especially those who oftentimes forget their booklet.

In case of violation, they can file a complaint with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs of their local government or with his office.

“It is already effective,” he said.

He also hoped for the Early Voting Act, now pending in the Senate, to become a law.

Once passed, it will give senior citizens the privilege of casting their votes one week before the scheduled national and local elections.

Also pending in the Senate is the proposed Universal Pension, which will mandate a monthly pension for all senior citizens, and the proposed Geriatric Act that seeks to establish a geriatric hospital in every region in the country. (PNA)