BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government has given recognition and financial incentive to 39 centenarians since 2015.
Paracelis has the highest number of centenarians who were recognized with nine, followed by Sabangan and Tadian with six centenarians each, records of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, show.
Bontoc and Besao have four centenarians each, while Natonin has three and Sadanga has two.
Barlig and Sagada have no verified centenarians but the PSWDO said verification of some candidates in Sagada is ongoing.
Out of the 39 centenarians, 24 are female and 15 are male.
Recognition of centenarians was enacted in 2015 through Ordinance 192. Qualified centenarians will receive a plaque of recognition, a congratulatory resolution, and P20,000. Other benefits include a monthly visit by health personnel for checkup and monitoring by the PSWDO.
In 2018, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Ordinance 315, which increased the cash award from P20,000 to P30,000.
PSWDO Officer-In-Charge Miguela Angwani said the centenarian award complements the Centenarian Act of 2016.
Recent recipients of the centennial award were recognized last Jan. 21 on two separate occasions.
Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan turned over their congratulatory resolutions, plaques of appreciation and checks to Avelina Placido, a resident of Gayang, Sabangan; and Segat of Lubon, Tadian.
Both were the sixth centenarians to receive the award in their respective municipalities after they were recommended by the Mountain Province Provincial Centenarian Committee.
The awarding was witnessed by their respective barangay and municipal officials, relatives and other senior citizens.
Mayor Marcial Lawilao, Jr. attended the awarding in Gayang while Board Member Salvador K. Dalang attended the Lubon awarding ceremony. – Erwin S. Batnag
April 26, 2024
