PCSO chairperson Junie E. Cua (File photo)

MANILA – As the country commemorates Elderly Filipino Week, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Wednesday assured that it remains committed to making the agency’s services more accessible to the elderly in recognition of their contributions to nation-building.

“Taos-pusong pagpupugay sa mga kapwa ko (A whole-hearted salute to my fellow) senior citizens! You deserve all the recognition and goodwill because of your collective efforts to help build our nation,” PCSO Chairperson Junie E. Cua said in a statement.

“Suportado po natin ang buong pamahalaan at buong bansa sa iba’t-ibang aktibidad na isasagawa bilang komemorasyon ng linggong ito. Makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayang senior citizen na mananatiling top of mind ng PCSO ang kanilang ginhawa at kapakanan (We support the whole nation in all activities to commemorate this week. We assure our senior citizens that their welfare and convenience are on top of the mind of the PCSO),” he said.

Cua pointed out that the PCSO has dedicated lanes for the elderly at its Main Office’s out-patient clinic, for lotto prize claims, as well as for branch office services, and vowed that the agency “will continue to look for ways to improve services for senior citizens.”

The first week of October is declared as Elderly Filipino Week by Proclamation 470 issued in 1994.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that there were 9.22 million senior citizens in the country in 2020.

According to the Population Commission, the country’s population 12 years from now will grow to 14 percent from the current 8.5 percent. (PNA)