Elderlies in Iloilo City no longer have to wait for them to turn 100 years old to receive cash incentives from the local government.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) yesterday approved the amended version of Regulation Ordinance 2017-053 otherwise known as Ilonggo Centenarian Ordinance that provides additional benefits and privileges to city residents already 100 years old.

Under the amended version, particularly under sections 6 and 9, the elderly upon reaching the age of 80 will already be entitled to receive P10,000; P20,000 upon reaching 90 years old and P50,000 upon turning 100 years old.

“Reaching the age of 80 years old is very rare nowadays. Lowering the age bracket will ensure that our senior citizens receive the benefit while they are still strong and able to enjoy their cash incentives,” said Councilor Jose Efrain Treñas III in defending the passage of the amendment.

He added that it is important to ensure that all benefits intended to them are given for their “total well-being” and “full participation in the society”.

As chairman of the SP committee on appropriations, he said the city government has sufficient funds to cover the proposed incentives. The local legislation provides for the annual allocation of P3 million.

Councilor Irene Ong, author of the ordinance, made it clear the ordinance has no retroactive effect. The elderly can claim the money once they only turn 80, 90 and 100 years old.

Councilor Mandrei Malabor said their documents will be processed before they reach the suggested age for them to receive the incentive on their birthday.

The provision of additional incentive is different from the P100,000 provided by the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as mandated by Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

Since last August, four centenarians in the city have already received their incentives from the city government worth P50,000 and a Centenarian Milestone Certificate. (PNA)