Fitial at home at Aging Center

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial left the crowd in stitches yesterday when he told them that he actually feels right at home at the Aging Center.

During yesterday’s proclamation signing declaring the month of May the Older Americans Month at the Man’amko Center, Fitial said that on the night before the proclamation signing itself, “I felt pain from top to bottom.”

“My time is near,” he deadpanned, adding, “I’m looking for someone to replace [me].”

The governor’s lugubrious statements were met with laughter by the crowd, who could easily identify with the governor’s bodily aches and pains.

The governor read his proclamation speech in three languages: Chamorro, Carolinian and English. Man’amko members Janet Thorne read the proclamation in English, Susana Santos read the proclamation in Chamorro, while Olympia Saralu read it in Carolinian.

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Daisy Villagomez-Bier also provided a brief speech both in English and Chamorro to recognize the event.

Villagomez-Bier said the Office on Aging has been providing the CNMI’s senior citizens with “an opportunity to socialize at the Man’amko Center; transportation services for doctor appointments, bill payments, and other errands; a complete and healthy meal that meets a third of the recommended dietary allowance; family caregiver support for elderly caregivers and those who care for the elderly; part-time employment for qualified older citizens; and referral to other important services provided in the CNMI for our senior citizens.

Villagomez-Bier told the man’amko that the CNMI needs them, “You are the key to our past and our future as a society.”

The Older Americans Month’s theme for this year is “Choices for Independence.”

The theme is an opportunity for both the young and the old to work together in harmony and to protect the islands’ man’amko from neglect by promoting and strengthening family values through public education.

Fitial is calling all federal, state, local government officials, businesses, communities, faith-based organizations, families, health care professionals, volunteers, and all citizens to publicly reaffirm the island’s continuing commitment to honor older Americans—the man’amko.

Office on Aging’s Howard Macaranas said there are several activities lined up for the man’amko in May such as a getaway beach party on Managaha Island and so much more.

Department of Public Safety Ernest Mark Williams, and representatives from Department of Public Health, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and other government agencies also attended the event.