A total of 51 Tarlaqueño centenarians received Certificates of Recognition and cash incentive of P100,000 each from the Provincial Government of Tarlac last October 12 during the celebration of the Provincial Elderly Filipino Week held at the 3rd level of SM City-Tarlac.
The recognition and distribution of cash incentives was led by Governor Susan Yap and Vice Governor Carlito David with 41 of the centenarians present while the other 10 were not able to make it to the celebration.
In Yap’s speech, she said that the elderly should be accorded the highest respect in our society.
“We cannot ignore the wisdom of the elderly that is why we should accord them with our utmost respect and care,” the governor said. She added that, “Age should not be a hindrance and not be a reason for discrimination.”
Yap was the author and sponsor of the anti-age discrimination bill during her Congress days.
David for his part said that, “Centenarians should be thankful to have reached 100-years old and lauded the care being given to them by their own family.”
“To the family members, you have to take care of your elders…you are lucky to still have them,” David said.
Former President Benigno Aquino III signed into law a measure that will grant a P100,000 cash incentive and additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians. The law, Republic Act 10868, was approved by Aquino last June 23.
Under RA 10868, all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 will receive a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines and a P100,000 cash gift, whether they are residing in the Philippines or abroad.
They will also be awarded with a plaque of recognition and additional cash gift from their respective city or municipal governments during the National Respect for Centenarians Day, which is set on September 25 of every year.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Tarlac, through a resolution, approved the granting of a cash incentive of P25,000 yearly for surviving centenarians who were able to receive P100,000 this year.
The celebration with a theme, “Pagmamahal at Respeto ng Nakababata, Nagpapaligaya sa Nakatatanda” was attended by senior citizens association all over the province headed by Provincial OSCA [Office of the Senior Citizens Affair] head Benjamin Eugenio. The Provincial Social Welfare Development Office under Robert Magno was the lead department in the celebration./Tarlac PIO