QC centenarians to receive P100K

Centenarians in Quezon City will be receiving cash incentives worth P100,000—a tenfold increase from the previous amount they received of P10,000.

In a statement, the Quezon City Public Affairs office said Wednesday that Mayor Herbert Bautista approved a city ordinance that increased the cash incentive for residents who reached the age of 100.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Roger Juan, "highlights the city government's continuing effort to promote the welfare of its elderly residents, especially those who have attained the age of 100."

According to the statement, Quezon City has 126 living centenarians, the oldest being 109-year-old Salamah Guiama Shalik of Barangay Culiat.

Republic Act No. 10868, known as "the Centenarians Act of 2016," aims to "inform and ensure compliance by the local government units the granting of the benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians."

It also provides that centenarians shall be honored with a gift of P100,000 upon reaching 100.

This covers Filipino centenarians residing in the Philippines or overseas.

Earlier reports note that 38 centenarians in Pampanga received P100,000 in 2015, while 75 centenarians in Negros Occidental also obtained cash incentives during the celebration of 117th Cinco de Noviembre in 2015. — Anna Felicia J. Bajo/BM, GMA News