SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR – They say that “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it does not matter.” But in the Department of Agriculture, age does matter as the agency recognizes the important role of the senior citizens in promoting sustainable development.

Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and Section 29 of the General Provisions of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2012, mandated the creation of the DA Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Association to strengthen the implementation of programs/projects intended to address their concerns.

Hence, the DA in Bicol reconstituted the Regional Technical Working Group of Senior Citizens and Differently Abled on April 17, 2017. Almost 20% of the total workforce of the DA regional office is comprised of senior citizens and PWDs.

During the recent General Assembly on May 16th this year, the association had an election of new set of officers for CY 2019 to 2020. Emilia B. Bordado, chief of Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section was elected as President. Vice President – Marilou Bordon, chief of Human Resource Management Section; Secretary -Emma Caning of Regulatory Division; Assistant Secretary – Emelita Ardinaso of Records Section; Treasurer – Leilani Decibar of Accounting Section; Asst. Treasurer – Antonio Baylon of General Services Section; Auditor – Jania Elatico of Albay Research and Development Center; Business Managers –Purita Navales of Regulatory Division and Elenita Ramos of Field Operations Division. Representatives of the provinces were also elected: for Camarines Sur – Salvador Ampongan, for Albay – Nympha Autos, for Catanduanes – Julio Borjal, for Sorsogon – Dolores Ricafranca, and for Masbate – Nellie Pasion.

The new officers were sworn to office by the newly designated OIC Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla on June 10, 2019.

These senior citizens are the solid foundation of our society and organization. The younger generation could learn a lot from their wisdom and wealth of knowledge and expertise accumulated over many years working at the agency. (Lovella P. Guarin)