By PR | 08:28 AM July 20, 2023
Governor Aris Aumentado welcomed Neiljay Matunding on July 10, 2023 at the New Capitol Building for a courtesy call.
Matuding, an elderly rights advocate from Barangay San Nicolas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, decided to paddle from Mindanao and pedal his way from Mindanao to Manila with his traysikad for a cause: to shed light on elderly abuse in the country.
A self-proclaimed Lola’s boy, he said that he pushed for this advocacy due to his close relationship with his grandmother, who raised him. He is pushing for the passage of House Bill No. 4696, protecting the elderly from abuse, to be enacted into law to help protect elderly Filipinos from violence, exploitation, neglect, and coercion. The bill seeks to set up a special prosecution that will exclusively handle cases of abuse of senior citizens by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and co-authored by Benguet District Representative Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Edvic Yap, authored the said proposed bill.
Matunding aims to travel around the Philippines, visiting the 82 provinces with his traysikad through his advocacy of Sikad Pilipinas. The advocate has been visiting different provinces since the first quarter of this year, with Bohol as his 11th province to visit. He aims to visit the House of Representatives in Quezon City by December.
The 22-year-old said he hopes his actions can inspire a ripple of change within communities to protect their elders from neglect and abuse, especially to inspire the youth to take action amid injustices.
During his stay, Matunding met with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tubigon for a courtesy call and was allowed to seek shelter at their Tourism Office for a couple of days before heading to Tagbilaran City. He then stayed at the Sandugo Grounds at the Old Airport until his departure to another province on July 18.
As part of the Strategic Change Agenda of his administration, Aumentado gave his support to Matunding during the courtesy visit and wished him well in his efforts. The Governor applauded his advocacy and told Matunding to not hesitate in reaching out to the Provincial Government of Bohol for help with his plight and that of victims of elder abuse. (PIMO)
