Over 100 centenarians set to receive P100K

CEBU, Philippines — Some 130 centenarians in Central Visayas will receive P100,000 each as cash gift from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

As mandated by Republic Act 10868, or the Centenarian Act of 2016, individuals who have reached 100 years of age and above, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, will be granted a cash gift amounting to P100,000 and a felicitation letter from the President of the Philippines.

DSWD and local government units, through the local social welfare and development offices, identified the centenarians in their respective localities for distribution of financial aid.

As of March 2024, DSWD-7 reported that 24 have already been paid (5 in Bohol, 9 in Cebu, 8 in Negros Oriental, and 2 in Siquijor province).

DSWD-7 said that it continues to monitor and provide technical assistance to local social welfare and development offices to ensure that requirements are complied with by the family of the centenarians.

The program underscores the government’s commitment to the well-being of senior citizens and their significant contribution to nation-building.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero said that the cash gift is the government’s way of honoring the centenarians for contribution to nation building while they were still in their productive years.

“We hope that with their longevity, they would set an example for others to live a healthy lifestyle, be in good shape, and enjoy life to the fullest for them to reach 100 years,” Lucero said.

In the Municipality of Carmen, Cebu, the municipal council recently approved Ordinance No. 053, Series of 2023 granting financial benefit to senior citizens, who are residents of the municipality that have reached the age of 70 to 100 years old and above.

The ordinance was authored by Councilor Al Silvestre B. Damiles, chairman of the committee on Senior Citizens Affairs. The qualified senior citizen shall have reached the age between 70 - 100 years old, duly registered with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and certified by the Punong Barangay where she/he resides.

In the first year of implementation of the Ordinance, qualified Carmenanons shall receive the grant based on the following age group: 70 years old to 74 years old shall receive P2,000;  for 75 years old to 79 years old (P3,000); 80 years old to 84 years old shall recieve P5,000; 85 years old to 89 years old shall receive P7,000;  90 years old to 94 years old shall get P10, 000; 95 years old to 99 years old shall receive P15,000; and 100 years old and above shall get P50, 000.

In the succeeding years, however, only those senior citizens ages 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 will receive the financial benefit.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office was directed by the mayor to implement the ordinance.   As stated in the Ordinance, the amount of P7,682,000 shall be appropriated in the Supplemental Budget or Annual Budget for the first year of its implementation.

In the succeeding years, only P2,127,000 shall be appropriated in the Annual Budget.

Meanwhile, Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan together with Cebu Sixth District Board Members Glenn Soco and Jonkie Ouano turned over a check worth P100,000 to Nicolasa Potot as financial assistance for being the oldest living person in Cordova.

Lola Nicolasa or better known Lola Lasay turned 100 years old on March 20, 2024.(CEBU NEWS)