THE 37-member Quezon City council, led by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, has declared June 15 as “Quezon City’s Elder Abuse Awareness Day” in support of the United Nations’ efforts to address the maltreatment of older persons.
Belmonte backed Ordinance No. Sangguniang Panglungsod 2670 of 2018, saying it is only proper the city government and even the entire country join the international community in stopping any forms of abuse on the elderly.
“Elder abuse is happening in our country and sadly, it remains one of the least investigated types of violence. It is time that we at the city government step up the campaign against this problem,” she said.
The vice mayor said elder abuse is a global social issue affecting the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world “and an issue which deserves the attention of the Quezon City government.”
Meanwhile, the city council has also approved Ordinance No. SP-2682, approving the release of an initial fund of P16 million to provide free anti-rabies shots to city residents.
“Rabies is regarded as a significant public health problem as it is 100-percent fatal, though 100-percent preventable,” Belmonte said.