Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran led city officials in the releasing of cash benefits to the first batch of recipients under the ladderized program for centenarians on Tuesday, January 25.
Sixty beneficiaries received P10,000 each following the passage of City Ordinance No. 910, Series of 2019, said Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head Pacita Tero.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod also approved City Ordinance No. 09-16-789 in 2016 that increased the cash incentive from the initial P10,000 to P100, 000 for residents who reach the age of 100 years old.
Author Archie Baribar, who proposed for the incentive to be given in a “ladderized manner,” stated that Bacolodnons who reach the age of 80 and 89 will receive P10,000, while those aged 90 to 99 will be given another P10,000.
The remaining P80,000 will be given to those who will reach 100 years old provided that they have received all previous incentives.
Meanwhile, Teodora Villanueva, 94, of Barangay Montevista; Thelma Occeñola and Antonio Echoretcho, 90; Angelina Bagares, 93; and Helen Tolimao, 86, of Barangay Villamonte also received P10,000 each, alongside Progreso Village centenarians Bonifacio Cuerpo, 94, and Leonarda Figueroa, 92./WDJ