In a significant move to address the plight of neglected elders, the province of Davao Oriental has officially begun constructing a specialized residential care facility designed to be a sanctuary for abandoned senior citizens. The project, named "Bai ni Ompo," which translates from Mandaya as "home for the aged," is rising in Mati City and is targeted for completion by 2026.
A Vision for Dignity and Reunification
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) representative Reynante Cruz detailed the initiative during the Kolokabildo sa Davao Oriental media forum. He explained that the facility is the brainchild of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, whose vision was sparked by encountering numerous abandoned elderly individuals within the province. Currently, some are housed in non-specialized centers, highlighting a critical gap in localized care.
Cruz emphasized that while facilities exist in the broader Davao region, they are often situated far from Davao Oriental. This distance complicates efforts to trace and reunite residents with their families. "Our main goal is to establish this here because they are abandoned, neglected, and we might be able to locate their families within our area," Cruz stated. The provincial government will subsidize residents' care, providing comprehensive support services for their well-being.
Building on a Model for Sustainable Care
The construction will involve rehabilitating an existing site in Mati City. The planned facility will have a 40-bed capacity at its initial phase, with equal accommodations for men and women. Cruz confirmed that the provincial government is fast-tracking the project, finalizing the program of works and budget alongside a three-year operational plan to ensure sustainability.
To build a robust system, the project team is using the Happy Home for Former Rebels as a reference model. Furthermore, they are conducting benchmarking visits to both government-run and private homes for the aged in the region. These visits aim to gather best practices on staffing, admissions, and daily operations to create a facility that is effective and enduring, not a temporary solution.
Collaboration and Current Landscape
Since the home will be provincially managed in Mati City, the PSWDO plans to coordinate closely with local government units (LGUs). They intend to formalize agreements through memoranda of agreement (MOAs), enabling LGUs to refer abandoned seniors from their localities to the facility, with a subsidy provided for each referral.
This project addresses a stark need. Currently, the entire Davao region has only two government-run homes for the elderly: one in Tagum City managed by DSWD-Davao and another in Davao City. Presently, 11 abandoned seniors from Davao Oriental (7 males, 4 females) are housed in the Tagum facility at the city's expense, underscoring the urgent requirement for a dedicated center within the province itself.
The "Bai ni Ompo" facility stands as a promise to honor the elderly who helped build society, offering them a dignified, caring, and culturally resonant home in their twilight years.
