Sagada senior citizens take over gov’t posts; pass laws

By Mary Tumapang

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Senior citizens of this municipality assumed their functions as local chief executive  and councilors in response to the senior citizens officers of the day (SCOFAD) with the passage of four resolutions, three ordinances  and execution of executive unctions.

After the Oct. 29 flag ceremony, Mayor Joseph Gewan called on proper candle and lighting of ‘sa-eng’ (pitch wood) at the cemetery on Nov. 1 All Saints Day and eve of  All Souls Day the next day.

Gewan was the mayor of the day while Conchita Bosaing was the SCOFAD vice mayor.

Other senior citizens- Rosalia Padayao, Mary Bangcawayan, Muriel Omaweng, Agnes Kollin, Mary Daoas, Jane Bawing, Fr Moreno Tuguinay, Fr Domingo Mayapit and James Ticgangay   became councilors for the day.

The SCOFAD program was done in celebration of the Senior Citizens Week pursuant to Republic Act 9994 known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act which recognizes contributions of senior citizens in nation building.

Resolutions passed by the SCOFAD included requesting the local chief executive Mayor James Pooten Jr to allocate P30,000 annually from the municipal budget for the conduct of SCOFAD.

 Another resolution passed was the urging all public utility vehicle owners and operators plying the route from Sagada to Bondoc , Besao and the nearby barangays bound to Suyo, Aguid, Suyo, Balugan from Poblacion to implement the 20% discount for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and students as provided in RA 9994.

A resolution requesting the municipal development council (MDC) to identify priority on the concreting and providing of hand rails of the existing steps from the national road to the new municipal building.

A resolution requesting the local chief executive to provide a space at the public market as show room for all finished recycled waste products was also passed by the SCOFAD-Sangguniang Bayan.

Ordinances passed on first reading were customary practices and beliefs on accepting a member of the dap-ay, on building a house, and attending the cultural ‘begnas.’

Said resolutions and ordinances shall be pursued into legislation by incumbent members of the SB.

SCOFAD 2018 is the first time that said activity is conducted  in the municipality of  Sagada .

Incumbent  SB  members offered their one day net pay to cover the honorarium of the  SCOFAD including their meals for lunch.