TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Sept. 4 (PNA) — Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon received a plague of recognition from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Priscilla Razon during the 37th anniversary celebration of the Home for the Aged.
In his message, Mayor Rellon said Tagum City will always complement DSWD initiatives in the Home. “I am proud to be a part of the Friends of the Home. I will be supporting the center until I grow old. I want that the mini-park the city has donated will be installed with a lake or a fish pond for the ‘lolos’ and ‘lolas’ to enjoy.”
Presently, Tagum City supports the Home with a Php 200,000.00 donation every year while the Davao Del Norte Provincial Government allocates Php 300,000.00 annually.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Association of Friends of the Home for the Aged, Inc. (AFHAI) celebrated the 37th founding anniversary of the Home for the Aged on August 28.
Located at Visayan Village, Tagum City, the Home is presently serving 58 homeless older persons.
The affair opened with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by the Blessing of the mini-chapel and the renovated buildings.
Some of the invited guests who came were Davao Del Norte Vice Governor Victorio R. Suaybaguio Jr., Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon, City Councilor Macario Bermudez III, Loreto Maghinay, Engr. Severino Mercado and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arlene M. Semblante.
AFHAI President Pedro B. San Jose and Treasurer Luz T. Pereyras along with DSWD Director Priscilla N. Razon and Assistant Director Mila T. Segovia led the celebration.
“As we mark the Home’s anniversary, we would like to give thanks and honor the members of our Friends of the Home. As you can observe, their support has made the Home more beautiful and comfortable for our senior citizens. Our Friends have journeyed with DSWD for 37 years. Today, we are celebrating the achievements not only of DSWD but also of our partners,” Razon said in her message.
The success of the Home confirms the essence of public-private partnership, she added. (PNA)