Senior Citizens Avail Get Free Eye Checkup, Eyeglasses

Kidapawan City, North Cotabato (PIA)— Some 3,528 senior citizens in North Cotabato have availed of the series of free eye examination and distribution of eyeglasses.

The continuing activity tagged as ‘Antipara para kay Lolo at Lola’, is part of the provincial government’s early gift-giving program for the Yuletide season.

The free eye examination and refraction was carried out with partner eye specialists from private and public hospitals while the distribution of free eye glasses was facilitated by the provincial government in coordination with the respective Local Government Units (LGUs).

Now on its third year, the project according to Governor Emmylou Mendoza, recognizes the need of the senior citizens to wear eyeglasses to help them in their day to day activities.

Lately, the provincial government has conducted the activity in Magpet, Kidapawan City, Arakan, Antipas, President Roxas, Tulunan, M’lang, and Kabacan.

Other areas such as Carmen, Midsayap, Banisilan, Alamada, Aleosan, Libungan, Pigcawayan, Pikit and Matalam will soon be visited.

Magpet Municipal Mayor Florenito Guzman, whose municipality was the first to benefit from the program, said the activity is life-changing for some of the beneficiaries particularly those elders who cannot afford to have their eyes checked and have eyeglasses.

“I saw happy faces during the distribution of free eyeglasses and for this I am very much grateful to the provincial government for looking into the welfare of our elders,” noted Mayor Gonzaga.

Meanwhile, in another component gift-giving activity, thousands of senior citizens also benefited from the ongoing “Pamaskong Handog ni Gob Lala 2015 – Alay kay Lolo at Lola” which has already been conducted in 10 villages starting November 9 this year. (SJDuerme- PIA12 and JSta.Cruz-NorthCot Media Center)