P100 thousand cash gifts given to Cebu centenarians

CEBU, Philippines — Another centenarian from Cebu Province received a P100,000 cash grant from the Cebu provincial government.

Nanay Gonyang (name withheld for security reasons), who celebrated her 100th birthday last December 9, received her cash gift from Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia Friday last week.

Carcar City Mayor Patrick Barcenas also provided Nanay Gonyang P10,000 cash on the same day.

She also received a grocery package from First District Board Member Yolanda “Yoly” Daan.

Nanay Gonyang has nine children. She currently resides in her daughter’s residence.

Although she could no longer hear, Nanay Gonyang is still very healthy and has good eyesight.

Bernarda Montalban, who takes care of Nanay Gonyang, said she was extremely grateful for the blessings they received.

Aside from Nanay Gonyang, two other centenarians from Bogo City also received their cash gifts.

Under Republic Act No. 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” all natural-born Filipinos who have reached one hundred years old and above, residing in the Philippines or abroad, shall be honored with the Centenarian cash gift.

Beneficiaries may submit primary documents such as birth certificates and Philippine passports to the City or Municipal Social Welfare Office and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in their localities to avail of the benefits.

Makati City Representative Luis Campos Jr., House appropriations committee vice chairperson, said that Congress has set aside P254 million to cover for the P100,000 one-time cash gift given to Filipinos who will reach the age of 100 years old in 2023.

According to the data shown by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), roughly 662 senior citizens in the country will be celebrating their 100th birthday this year. — GAN (FREEMAN)