Octogenarian to centenarian elderlies get benefits, privileges in Benguet

May 7, 2017 Community Billboard

A week before the term of government officials expire and make way for winning candidates of the May 2016 polls to take their posts, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet headed by then Vice Governor Nelson Dangwa approved and signed Provincial Ordinance No. 16-191 known as “Octogenarian, Nonagenarian, and Centenarian Ordinance of the Province of Benguet.”
The ordinance, which is dated June 23, 2016 and authored by Board Member Robert Namoro, was based on Article XV, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution which states “The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social security.”
According to the author, who explained the said program to the public during the opening of the 5th Tallak Festival in Bakun Central, the octogenarian, nonagenarian and centenarian shall be given cash incentive, plaque of recognition and free registration for medical checkup in any government health facility in Benguet once for being an octogenarian, once for being a nonagenarian, and same to a centenarian. The board member however refused to mention the exact amount of cash incentives but he assured that there is such incentive. He added that centenarian has higher cash award than the nonagenarian. Likewise, nonagenarian has higher cash award than octogenarian.
The terms octogenarian, nonagenarian and centenarian were defined in the ordinance as one who is from Benguet since birth or who is an actual resident of Benguet province for at least 10 consecutive years following his attaining the age of 80s, 90s or 100s years of age. Of course that person has to submit pertinent documents serving as proof that she/he has reached such age and she/he is from Benguet. Antonio B. Lantaen / PR / ABN