PH’s centenarians
UNKNOWN to many, there are now 1,130 beneficiaries under the government’s “Centenarians Act of 2016,” according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The DSWD made the disclosure as the Philippines marks this year’s “Elderly Filipino Week,” which is celebrated every first week of October pursuant to Presidential Proclamation (PP) No. 470.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos of vote-rich Pangasinan issued the proclamation on September 26, 1994.
In issuing the proclamation, Ramos underscored the importance of increasing public awareness on the different issues confronting the country’s senior citizens.
Under the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” all Filipinos who reach 100 years old will be honored with a letter of felicitation from the President and a cash gift of P100,000.
Even a Filipino centenarian living abroad is entitled to receive the cash gift on his/her birthday, according to the DSWD, which is orchestrating the celebration of “Elderly Filipino Week.”
Relatives of centenarians ought to submit primary documents, such as birth certificates and passports, to the city/municipal social welfare office and the office of the senior citizens office.
If both documents are unavailable, secondary documents, like driver’s license, and GSIS, SSS and voter’s identification cards, will be accepted to ascertain the age of the centenarian.
Hopefully, the government, through the DSWD and other concerned offices and agencies, will deliver on its pro-elderly agenda, including the grant of P100,000 gift to centenarians.
Dapat lang!
