The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas said it has released P11,200,000 to 112 centenarians this year, including five from Negros Occidental.
Each of the beneficiaries received P100,000 in cash gift.
Aside from Negros Occidental, the other recipients include 49 from Iloilo Province, Capiz, 24; Antique, 12; Iloilo City, 11; five from Aklan; and three from Guimaras.
“We are doing our best to ensure that all the target centenarians will receive the cash gift as soon as possible,” Atty. Carmelo Nochete, DSWD6 director, said in a statement.
So far, the agency logged a 78.32 percent target accomplishment.
There are 31 centenarians, who have yet to receive their cash incentives, and the DSWD6 said the schedules for payouts have already been set.
The agency is implementing Republic Act 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016, which honors Filipinos who have reached the age of 100 years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad.
The law provides that centenarians will receive awards and incentives that include a cash gift of P100,000, a Letter of Felicitation (for living centenarian) signed by the President of the Philippines, and a Posthumous Plaque of Recognition (for deceased centenarian) from the national government, through the DSWD.
Local government units are also directed to give awards and incentives, with the amount to be determined through a resolution or ordinance.
The implementation of the Centenarians Act is currently undertaken by the DSWD, under its Protective Services Division, headed by Katherine Joy Malagad-Lamprea with focal person Doyien Castillo.
Nochete also cited the newly-enacted law for senior citizens, or RA 11982 for Octogenarians and Nonagenarians.
“We are supportive of this newly-enacted law. We are also optimistic as to other pending legislations for the welfare of the elderly. We hope that the long battle for the protection and welfare of the elderly will continuously see victories,” he added. ||
