The Home for Elderly of the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday, August 19, 2019 celebrated its 30th year anniversary as a residential facility for the aged.
Established on August 15, 1989 in partnership with Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, the Home for the Elderly is a regional facility operated by DSWD Field Office IX which provides temporary shelter and care to dependent, needy, neglected, homeless, unattached and abandoned Filipino Senior Citizens 60 years and above with no contagious disease.
The center aims to provide clients with residential care to enable them to lead normally and live life decently through provision of rehabilitative programs and services that are geared towards the maintenance of their physical, social and psychological functioning.
Following the Anniversary Mass presided by Rev.Fr.Jonathan Berdejo was the formal Inauguration and blessing of the completed CRCF construction, repair and upgrading projects. Two of the major highlights were the construction of the Multi-Purpose and Wellness Center with Infirmary Clinic and Aqua Therapeutic Building worth 3,336,805.82 and 2,305,000.00, respectively.
The inauguration was led by Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin, DSWD Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Fatima S. Caminan.
DSWD Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos formally welcomed all the guests, staff and clients present during the affair. “I would like to welcome everyone in this significant occasion as we celebrate the 30strong years of the Home for the Elderly. I would like to recognize and thank the members of Secular Order for Discalced Carmelites who started the humble beginnings of this center. You are indeed part and parcel of this milestone.”, Director Ramos said.
In his message, guest speaker USec. Gudmalin shared the CRCF journey which made these developments and improvements into reality. He also mentioned how important it is to provide decent and comfortable stay for our clients after assessing the real situation of the 71 facilities nationwide.
“I would like to share three important things you need to remember for a successful project implementation, these are: Unity of Vision, Solidarity of Purpose and Teamwork in Action”, Usec. Gudmalin said.
He also underscored the department’s core value on “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo” as reminder to our goal for the clients and also recognized the workers who painstakingly worked hard together for the realization of the projects through the leadership and monitoring of DSWD Regional Project Management Team.
DSWD Region IX was allocated with 126 Million Budget in 2017 to pursue the construction of the different CRCF projects in all seven centers in the region.
Apart from the major construction, Home for the elderly also underwent major upgrades and repairs on the following: Upgrading of Mess Hall (Php 1,325,494.25); Upgrading of Resident’s Quarters (Php 1,754,509.25) ; Repair of Houseparent’s Quarters (Php 121,000) ; Repair of Administrative Building (Php 339,500) ; Repair of Laundry and Linen Area (479,443.38) and Repair of Powerhouse (Php 143,000).
Center Head Georgina Suico expressed her gratitude for all the support extended and for the gift of the developments in their facility. She committed to take good care of these projects and utilize it to help improve the well-being of the elders who are staying in the center.
“This affair is not the end but just the beginning of a dream come true. Continue to pray for us here so we will be blessed with strength to embrace our mission effectively for our dear clients”, Mrs. Suico added.
To date, the Home for the Elderly caters 51 total clients where 21 are male and 30 are female, respectively. ##
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