The Iloilo provincial government has released PHP12.59 million to 2,182 qualified senior citizens since the start of the distribution of the monetary reward and recognition as mandated by Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-216.

“What we have as of the present is PHP5,000 for 85 years old and 95 years old and an additional PHP20,000 for the existing PHP100,000 from the national for the centenarians,” Anna Rapunzel Ganzon, focal person for the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said in an interview on Friday.

The ordinance, mandating monetary awards and recognition to qualified senior citizens aged 85 and above was approved in 2022. The release of the incentives began in December 2023.

PSWDO data showed that since 2023, over PHP9.23 million were released to 1,847 octogenarians, more than PHP1.11 million for 223 nonagenarians, and PHP2.24 million for 112 centenarians.

The province has 203,447 registered senior citizens.

“Ours is an augmentation. Supposedly, the LGUs (local government units) themselves directly where the senior citizens live should have their own additional benefits for their senior citizens,” Ganzon said.

Meanwhile, Ganzon said they are preparing to award senior citizen-friendly municipalities or cities in line with the celebration of the Elderly Week in the first week of October.

Winners receive PHP50,000 for the first place, PHP30,000 for second place and PHP20,000 for third place.

The awards are intended exclusively for programs, projects or activities beneficial to the senior citizens of the winning LGU. (PNA)