PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Centenarians in Palawan have something to look forward to with the recent approval of an ordinance providing them cash gifts and other incentives.
Authored by Board Member Cherry Pie Acosta, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved the “Palawan Centenarian Ordinance of 2017” on Tuesday, according to a statement from the office of Provincial Information Officer Gil Acosta Jr.
The ordinance provides a one-time grant of PHP10,000 to elderly people, who are 100 years old and above, and PHP2,000 each year as birthday cash gift.
The fund will be taken from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
A plaque of recognition will also be awarded to the living centenarian to honor their long-standing contributions to their families and communities.
The statement said the ordinance shows that Palawan gives importance to senior citizens and the sustainable development of the Filipino culture and values.
In an earlier interview, Acosta said the ordinance is based on the provisions of Republic Act 10868, that honors and grants additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians.
The implementation of the ordinance will be led by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in coordination with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of the 23 towns in Palawan.
Acosta cited that under Section 1, Paragraph D of Republic Act 9994, the provision of additional cash incentives “will encourage the centenarians’ families and their communities to reaffirm the valued Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens.” (PNA)
