109-year-old Cebuana to get award

CEBU, Philippines – A 109-year-old woman who is currently living in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City may be the next senior citizen to be conferred with the "Centenary Senior Citizens Award" by the Cebu City Government.

Florida Opta has been recommended for the award by Guillermo "Dodong" Casinillo, head of the Cebu City Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

A resident of Barangay Mabolo was also awarded the recognition last year.

Councilor Edgardo Labella already prepared a resolution that will be presented in tomorrow's regular session to confer the award to Opta for having reached a triple-digit age.

It was Labella who authored the City Ordinance 10-2564 that recognizes elderly Cebu City residents who are at least 100 years old.

The ordinance provides that those who will be conferred with the centenary senior citizens award will be given P5,000 cash gift from the Cebu City Government.

This will be given during the celebration of the senior citizens' month, to be capped on October 31.

According to Labella, there aren't many people who reach a triple-digit age so they should be included in a special group of elderly Filipinos.

Last year, the City Council also conferred Natividad Sanchez-Go of Barangay Mabolo the same award after celebrating 100th birthday.

The FREEMAN called up the officials of Barangay Lahug yesterday afternoon but was told that Opta is not among the registered senior citizens of the barangay.

Opta, according to the officials, is not among the registered voters of Lahug. However, she is staying in Lahug with her son.

Casinillo said it was Mylen Menchavez, a candidate for barangay captain of Lahug, who informed him about Opta. He already asked Menchavez to submit to his office the complete documents including the birth certificate of Opta.  (FREEMAN)