Rojas: Program may begin next year as allocation is already in the budget
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The ordinance seeking to allow the distribution of cash benefits for centenarians, or those who have reached the age of 100, to 80 years old recently passed its third and final reading before the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
City Councilor Archie Baribar, who penned the proposal, suggested spreading out the total P100,000 cash allotment by providing P10,000 when a city resident is between 80 and 89 years old, along with a second P10,000 disbursement if they surpass the age of 90.
The remaining P80,000 will be given if the resident reaches 100 years old.
City Councilor Cindy Rojas, who chairs the SP Committee on Appropriations and Finance, said, once signed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the policy will possibly begin implementation by next year since the appropriation was already included in the city’s 2020 annual budget.
In order to fund the program, P5 million must be allocated in every annual city budget.
Earlier this year, Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Marilou Arroyo filed a bill before the House of Representatives proposing a similar measure./DGB, WDJ