100-year-old lola’s P100,000 benefit arrives almost a year after it was sought

Time is of the essence when it comes to the benefits of the elderly but for 100-year-old Lola Felisa Sayo, the P100,000 centenarian's benefit due her came almost a year after her loved ones applied for it in her behalf.

According to Lola Felisa's daughter, Zenaida Sayo-Bernal, it took a long time before they got the money.

Zenaida said they filed it last year at the Manila City Hall wherein government employees asked for a copy of the marriage certificate of Lola Felisa and her husband and a picture which will prove that Lola Felisa is still alive.

"Nung primero ang sabi, inaayos pa raw 'yung cheke tapos nung nagfollow-up ulit 'yung kapatid ko sabi okay na raw 'yung cheke... after Holy Week daw. Eh May 2 na ngayon," Zenaida said in Ivan Mayrina's report on "24 Oras."

On Tuesday, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada who handed the check to Lola Felisa.

"Malaking bagay na dapat kilalanin natin 'yung mga senior citizen. 'Ika nga, 'We Filipinos we look at them as our mothers. We respect our elders," Estrada said.

For Lola Felisa, the money is a great help for her family especially that she was hospitalized this past few months.

"Malaking tulong... pang-gastos kung anuman dahil lalo na nga nung ako'y nagkasakit eh siyempre eh wala ka naman, edi siyempre mga anak mo... 'Yung mga anak ko lang umaano," Lola Felisa said.

Meanwhile, aside from the benefit she received from the Manila City Hall, Lola Felisa would still get another P100 thousand from the Social Welfare department.

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. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News