The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The NCSC had to brave unpredictable giant waves on an hour banca ride and a treacherous land trip just to visit Lolo Jose in Sabtang island municipality here on Thursday.
It was one hell of a boat ride and land trip as the untamed seas and natural landscape of Batanes also comes with some dangerous twists and wild turns.
But danger or no danger, the NCSC was on a mission and was determined to fulfill it – come hell or high waters and the prize was a discovery of another centenarian in a remote village of Sumnanga in Sabtang Island, Batanes.
Led by Chairman Franklin Quijano, the team of two Commissioners and a handful of staff, the NCSC was able to meet and greet 102 years-old Jose Beronque, fondly called Lolo Jose in his home with family members.
Accompanied by Sabtang Mayor Prescila Babalo, Quijano and Comms. Reymar Mansilungan and Rainier Cruz greeted Lolo Jose and awarded him a small cash gift along with the municipal and provincial cash rewards to the delight of the centenarian, who recently celebrated his 102nd birthday.
Lolo Jose was a farmer and fisherman in his younger years and enjoys an active lifestyle. He still rode a bicycle in his 80s.
He had 9 children but forgot the number of grandchildren. He shared his secret to longevity and that is eating fish and root crops like camote and taro and avoids meat, MSG and salty food.
It was a very fulfilling day for the NCSC team as they not only combined work with leisure but knowledge and adventure as well.
Meanwhile, the NCSC is nominating Sabtang island municipality of Batanes for its inclusion to the World Health Organization (WHO) in its search for Age-Friendly Communities, Island Municipality category.
Sabtang Mayor Prescila Babalo said the island municipality is very much qualified for the inclusion as Sabtang is the only municipality in Batanes, which has a PhilHealth accredited health facility that takes care of its senior citizen constituents,
The dynamic lady mayor took care of the NCSC team headed by Chairman Franklin Quijano and Comms. Reymar Mansilungan and Rainier Cruz during a consultation dialogue with senior citizen leaders, LGUs and PWDOs held in the breathtaking island municipality also on Thursday.
(Photos by Sameer Manzanilla, Keanne Cruz and Gladice Espanol)