By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – On Valentine’s Day, the Cadiz City government in Negros Occidental granted a total of P1,275,000 in cash gifts to senior citizens aged 90 to 100 as a gesture of honor, especially on such a special occasion.
Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. stated that this act serves to recognize and celebrate the city’s elders. Centenarians Estelita Alimpolos from Sitio Cogon, Barangay Sicaba, and Cepriana Quinio from Purok Tinapok, Barangay Tinampa-an each received P100,000.
These gifts comply with Republic Act (RA) 10868, also known as the Centenarian Act of 2016, which requires local government units (LGUs) to present a “centenarian gift” of P100,000 to residents who reach the age of 100.
Mayor Escalante emphasized that the “centenarian gift” represents the highest form of appreciation for elders who have reached the century mark.
Additionally, 95-year-olds Epifania Balbinita from Hacienda Felomina, Barangay Burgos; Caridad Hechanova from Purok Pag-asa, Talabaan, Barangay Zone 1; and Reynaldo Santiago from Crossing Martesan, Barangay Burgos each were presented with P50,000.
A group of 37 other nonagenarians, aged 90 to 93, also received P25,000 each. The cash gifts were distributed at the Cadiz City Arena on Wednesday, February 14.
Mayor Escalante mentioned that these cash gifts for nonagenarians are part of a local initiative enacted through a city ordinance, as they are not covered under RA 10868.
The mayor added, “We are hopeful that as our budget returns to its pre-pandemic level, hopefully by next year, we will be able to extend cash gifts to our octogenarians aged 85 to 89 as well.”
