LOGARTA
The Legal Alternatives for Women (LAW) Center TV program “Sa Mata sa Kababayen-an” at CCTN was very informative regarding assisting the elderly among us. Program guests, Dr. Amparo T. Florida, Golden Center of Cebu, Inc. (GCCI) president, and vice president for internal affairs Dr. Napoleon Camacho were the special guests with the show’s anchor Atty. Virginia Palanca-Santiago and fellow lawyer Atty. Sheryl Viñas. They were there to inform the community that Golden Center of Cebu, as it celebrates its crystal anniversary, will be holding a convention: “Elderly Friendly Communities” on October 5 and 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cebu Grand Convention Center. Msgr. Romualdo G. Kintanar will preside in the Holy Mass which will open the first day’s activities. After the opening ceremony comes the induction of newly elected officers. Exhibits will then be opened. The honoring of centenarian Rosario Echavez ends the morning’s activities.
In the afternoon, Dr. Tomas L. Fernandez will discuss “Aging Population in Central Visayas”; Dr. Amparo T. Florida will describe “How Does an Elderly Friendly Community Look Like?”; and a Department of Health representative will present “Policy Guidelines on the Standards of Care for Older Persons in All Health Care Settings.” Time has been allotted for an open forum and booth visits.
On Friday, Amon Sagana will discuss “Retirement Village”; Dr. Daisy R. Palompon will talk about the “Nursing Perspective on the Care of the Elderly in 2030”; physical therapist Mr. Thomas John Castañares will describe “Patient Safety and Transfer Mobility”; Dr. Milan M. Ratunil, psychiatrist of the Center of Behavioral Science of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center will enlighten the participants on the “Care of Dementia Patient.” After lunch another psychiatrist, Dr. Glenda C. Basubas, will talk about “Depression and Suicide,” and the neurologist Dr. William L. Buot will describe the “Management of Parkinson’s Disease.”
Dr. Florida and Dr. Camacho shared some of the activities of Golden Center of Cebu but also pointed out that they have a website. Charity Escoton, media production assistant of LAW Center, Inc. facilitated my access to the information. Its vision: “An organization which leads in the promotion for a better quality of life for older persons.” Its mission: “The promotion of the rights and welfare and responsibilities of older persons and the provision of integrated services and the creation of venues for a better understanding of the issues affecting the older persons and its link with other organizations in realizing its vision.”
GCCI’s objectives include: “To promote awareness on gerontology and geriatrics; to promote and encourage cooperation among associations and individuals interested in the area of gerontology; to act as catalyst to generate and disseminate knowledge in areas related to the elderly; to utilize knowledge and skills and experience to formulate policies to be considered by the government and other agencies on various issues related to older persons; to collaborate with other recognized bodies with similar objectives whether locally or nationally; to pursue efforts to increase the financial resources to fulfill the objectives of the association; and to promote and conduct research in order to understand various aspects of aging.
Some of the services of GCCI are rehabilitation and recreation services; elderly-minding; feeding of the street elderly; training in elderly care; respite center; memory clinic; and half-way house for elderly abused.
I especially like the information on “Golden Center of Cebu, Inc. Partnership Offerings” because it’s like an invitation to join it in its efforts. I am particularly interested in the “Elderly Minding Center; establishment of Community Older Persons’ Bureau; Production and publication older persons case studies (to answer questions like: ‘What are the secrets of long life?’; ‘How does one age gracefully?’)”
“Beneficiaries: For Whom Do We Toil?” — the list includes older persons (with capacity to pay) who are interested to have care apart from their family. “Abandoned and neglected older persons with whom the GCCI has secured community commitments of support/subsidy. Older persons or groups in need of opportunities/venues for socialization, entertainment, relaxation, or spiritual activities; corporations, charitable/philanthropic institution or individuals who wish to sponsor or support older persons in a residential care setting; those in the academe who are interested ‘to collaborate on research on older persons especially the promotion of older persons’ rights’; local government units in need of professional advice related to older persons.”
Golden Center Cebu, Inc. has been with us since June 2002. The following year it had been officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On January 27, 2004 Msgr. Romualdo G. Kintanar made a building inside the Mabolo Parish quadrangle available for the use of the organization. Now it is in Guadalupe. Everyone with a heart and willing to help the elderly are invited to be members of GCCI, Inc. Ma’am Virgie was very happy to hear about the center. She had provided help for rejected elderly, providing them food and looking for ways so they would have a comfortable, safe and healthy place.