Elderly Filipino Week is set from October 1 to October 7, 2019 and thousands of Senior Citizens are set to participate in various activities. SM Supermalls, the country’s biggest retail store is leading the celebration with week-long events at selected SM Supermalls and also led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA) in partnership with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
This annual observance falls under Proclamation No 470 issued last September 26, 1994, which aims to increase public awareness in different issues concerning the sector. Elderly Filipino Week 2019 theme is “Healthy and Productive Ageing Starts with Me”.
Last October 2, 2019, hundreds of senior citizens had a chance to relive beautiful memories and enjoy the nostalgic music of Rockin’ 60s band, at “Seniors Prom”, an event that shows no one is ever too old to dance and have fun in the mall.
Capping the celebration is the annual, “Talakayan”, a forum that informs the Filipino elderly about legislations concerning the sector. This includes discussing the various benefits that seniors can take advantage of. Talakayan will be led by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
“SM supports the cause of the Filipino elderly, by hosting activities and projects that promote their good health and well-being. Through our CSR Program on Senior Citizens, we wish to let our elderly know that SM will always be their second home, and that there is life after 60 at SM. We also thank DSWD and OSCA for partnering with us for this advocacy,” said Danilo Chavez, Head of SM Cares Program on Senior Citizens.
Apart from mall events, and to further promote their social inclusion, SM offers a Community Service Program for Senior Citizens which invite the elderly to become project participants and do weekend jobs in the mall. This project is in partnership with OSCA.
To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
