DSWD gives P100K each to 2 Valenzuela centenarians

DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian has personally handed over a P100,000 cash gift each to Valenzuela City’s newest centenarians.

To date, the city has a total of 11 centenarians who have already received their cash benefits from the local government, amounting to p50,000 each, Gatchalian’s younger brother, Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian, said.

The DSWD chief told The Manila Times on Friday that he was delighted to personally give the cash gift to the two newest Valenzuela centenarians — “Tatay” Cornelio of Barangay Coloong, and “Nanay” Felipa from Barangay Bagbaguin.

“It was a privilege to handdeliver the P100,000 cash gift of DSWD to the two ‘Valenzuelano’ residents,” said the secretary who was a former Valenzuela mayor and District 1 lawmaker.

The city chief executive expressed gratitude to the DSWD secretary for taking time to meet the city’s two newest centenarians and personally give the cash gift from the national government.

He told The Times in a separate interview that the local government has numerous programs primarily designed to benefit the city’s elderly, including the centenarians.

”They deserve all the support and assistance from the city government because their contributions to society and sacrifices were unparalleled,” the Valenzuela mayor said.

Under Republic Act 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” all Filipinos who have reached 100 years of age or older, whether living in the Philippines or abroad, will receive a letter of felicitation from the President and a “centenarian gift” worth P100,000.