BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Forty-five senior citizens will serve as government officials and local leaders for a day on October 5 under the Senior Citizens Officials for a Day (SCOFAD) program, following their screening and selection by the Elderly Month Steering Committee on September 22.
The committee is led by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, chair of the Committee on Women, Social Services and Urban Poor, with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by Liza Bulayungan, represented during the screening by Social Worker Racquel Madlon.
The designation of the senior citizens is pursuant to Executive Order No. 157, series of 2026, issued by Acting City Mayor Faustino A. Olowan on September 30.
The EO is anchored on Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which provides additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens.
Proclamation No. 470, issued on September 26, 1994, declares the first week of October as Filipino Elderly Week. In Baguio, however, the celebration is observed through month-long activities recognizing the contributions and continuing participation of senior citizens in the community.
The city’s SCOFAD program is also supported by City Ordinance No. 057, series of 2009, “Providing for the Senior Citizens to Participate in Nation Building by Acting as Officials for a Day in the month of October of every year,” and Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 066, series of 2015, urging regional line agencies based in Baguio City to adopt the SCOFAD program.
SENIOR CITIZEN LEADERS
SC Luzmarie Vega will serve in the office of Congressman Mauricio Domogan; SC Fernando Moyaen will serve as Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong for the day; and former City Planning Officer SC Raymund Ruaro will serve as Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan.
For the Sangguniang Panlungsod, SC Jeannette Cawiding will serve as committee chair on Employment, Livelihood, Cooperatives and Persons with Disability (PWD), vice Councilor Edison Bilog; SC Renato Reyes will serve as committee chair on Public Works, vice Councilor Joel Alangsab; and SC Enrico Caja will chair the Committee on Public Protection, vice Councilor Jose Molintas.
SC Fe Paloga will chair the Committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs and Personnel, vice Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr.; SC Alicia Santiago will chair the Committee on Education, Creativity, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Non-Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Culture, vice Councilor Vladimir Cayabas; and SC Alejandrino Tamania will chair the Committee on Urban Planning, Lands and Housing, vice Councilor Peter Fianza.
SC Purificacion Delima will chair the Committee on Market, Trade and Commerce and Agriculture, vice Councilor Van Dicang; SC Bernadette Gallardo will chair the Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Traffic Legislation, vice Councilor Fred Bagbagen; and SC Helen Dinamling will chair the Committee on Social Services, Women and Urban Poor, vice Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda.
SC Maria Carolina Zulueta will chair the Committee on Tourism, Special Events and Playground, vice Councilor Yuri Kiaco Weygan; SC Dr. Virginia Narciso will chair the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection, vice Councilor Elmer Datuin; SC Erlinda Fuertes will chair the Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Cultural Communities, vice Councilor Maximo Edwin Jr.; and SC Clarita Gamboa will chair the Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports, vice Councilor John Rhey Mananeng.
The SC councilors underwent an orientation on parliamentary procedures on September 30 with Sangguniang Panlungsod personnel Jona Pagada in preparation for the council session on October 5, where they will present proposals, either ordinances or resolutions, related to their designated committees.
CITY OFFICES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
For the city departments, SC Carolina Santiago will serve as City Accountant, vice Fredda Jimenez; SC Jennifer Hongitan will serve in the Office of the City Administrator, vice Vittorio Jerico Cawis; SC Ma. Teresita Bersamira will serve as City Assessor, vice Normita Ramon; and SC Lolita Belen will serve in the City Auditor’s Office, vice Melanie Cuilan.
SC Linda Culaton will serve as City Budget Officer, vice Atty. Letecia Clemente; SC Engr. Brigida Ancheta will serve in the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO), vice Architect Johnny Degay; SC Nilda Limpin will serve as Acting City Civil Registrar, vice Allan Abayao; and SC Basilisa Nebrija will serve as Department of Education-Baguio Schools Division Superintendent, vice Dr. Soraya Faculo.
SC Verena Repasa will serve as DILG Baguio City Field Office Director, vice Millicent Carino; SC Josephine Fianza will serve as City Engineering Officer, vice Engr. Richard Benjamin Lardizabal; SC Leoncio Cortes Jr. will serve as City General Services Office (GSO) head, vice Ma. Guadalupe Della; and SC Dr. Zoraida Clavio will serve as City Health Services Officer, vice Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes.
SC Divina Manos will serve as City Human Resources Management Officer, vice Atty. Augustin Laban III; SC Atty. Romeo Bravo will serve in the City Legal Office, vice Atty. Althea Rosanna Alberto; SC Herminia Velasco will serve as City Planning, Development and Sustainability Officer, vice Architect Donna Rillera-Tabangin; and SC Susan Medina will serve as City Secretary, vice Atty. Brenner Bengwayan.
SC Erlinda Erardo will serve as CSWDO head, vice Liza Bulayungan; SC Criselda Labonete will serve as City Treasurer, vice Alex Cabbarubias; and SC Marietta Blanco will serve as City Veterinarian, vice Dr. Silardo Bested.
For partner government agencies, SC William Baden will serve as Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) head, vice PCol. Nixon Laoyan; SC Shirley Arukod will serve as National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) Regional Director, vice Atty. Luz Laureta-Balisong; and SC Ernesto Ronquillo will serve as Jail Chief Inspector of the Baguio City Jail-Male Dormitory, vice Atty. Dexter Ngipol.
SC Lolita Hunt will serve as Jail Chief Inspector of the Baguio City Jail-Female Dormitory, vice JCInsp. John Wayland Lapon; SC Ricardo Flores will serve as City Fire Marshal of the Baguio Fire Station, vice FSupt. Mark Anthony Dangatan; SC Epifania Claur will serve as Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Baguio Office Chief, vice Datu Shaiffudin Kiram; and SC Nelson Cara will serve as General Manager of the Baguio Water District (BWD), vice Engr. Salvador Royeca.
The SCOFAD participants are from the Philippine Government Retirees Association (PGRA), Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association (FBASECA), and Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
They underwent screening based on residency, educational background, work or business history, character, achievements, community service, awards received, and other requirements.
According to EO 157, the SCOFAD program aims to provide opportunities for the inclusion and participation of senior citizens in city governance while recognizing their continuing vigor, experience, and dedication to the betterment of Baguio. (Julie G. Fianza)
