Employees of the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) who are senior citizens (SC) and persons with disability (PWD) attended a two-day Health and Wellness Seminar held at a venue in Cebu City.

The seminar is part of the mandate to provide the marginalized sectors like the SC and PWDs, as well as youth and women to an inclusive social environment and equal opportunities, regardless of age or physical capabilities, and they are valued and supported.

DA7 Admin and Finance Division Chief Melquiades Ibarra acknowledged the significant contributions to the SC and PWDs employees of DA, as he added “as an SC and PWD not only in our country but particularly in our office, you have a lot of sharing you can give, not only to our office but also towards each other. Thankful kaayo ta sa DA kay gihatagan ta og ing-ani nga higayon, seminar para kaninyo (be thankful to DA because you were given the opportunity like this seminar).

Ibarra added, “this is a reward for yourself, having dedicated your lives to the Department of Agriculture for so long a time.”

The seminar provided essential guidance on various aspects of health and wellness, including proper nutrition and healthy eating habits, effective stress management techniques, the importance of recreational and physical activities, common chronic diseases and conditions affecting senior citizens and their management, and suitable physical exercises for both seniors and PWDs.

Kurt Gayondato of the Human Resource Management Section (HRMS) emphasized the importance of promoting inclusivity within the department. He noted that senior employees may sometimes feel excluded from general seminars and activities, making this initiative meaningful.

Resource speakers were John Paul D. Cocon and Fritz Justin Sagang from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7