Phl celebrates Centenarians’ Day today

Makati Rep. Luis Campos Jr. reminded Filipinos yesterday that the country observes Centenarians’ Day today under Republic Act No. 10868.

“We salute all Filipino centenarians for their longevity, and for their lives of service to family, community and to nation,” he said.

“In Makati, the city government has been paying tribute to every centenarian with a one-time P100,000 gift and a plaque of recognition since 2013 – long before the passage of the Centenarians Law,” he said.

He said the city has recognized 42 residents who have turned a century old.

The P100,000 from the city government is on top of the P100,000 from the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as mandated by the Centenarians Law, he added.

Campos noted that the national government has set aside P189.5 million of its budget for 2018 to pay for the P100,000 one-time bonus of 1,895 Filipinos who are turning 100 years old.

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation 470 series of 1994, Oct. 1 also marks the start of Elderly Filipino Week, in honor of all senior citizens above 60 years of age.

“We take this occasion to applaud elderly Filipinos who, due to changes in family structures, have become even more valuable to preservation of our values and traditions,” Campos said.