86 Bulakenyo centenarians get cash incentives

Gemma Gabuya, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region III, served as the guest of honor. (Google maps)

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan— The provincial government of Bulacan has awarded 86 Bulakenyo centenarians with certificates of appreciation and cash incentives in recognition of their valuable contributions to the province.

The awarding of the certificates of appreciation and cash incentives amounting to PHP10,000 each for the 30 newly identified centenarians and PHP3,000 each for the previously recognized centenarians was held Wednesday during the “Pagkilala at Pagpapahalaga sa mga Sentenaryong Bulakenyo at Pagdiriwang ng Linggong Katandaang Pilipino” at The Pavilion Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city .

Gemma Gabuya, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region III, served as the guest of honor.

Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the provincial government reserved that special day for the centenarians to impart to them that they are valuable parts of the community.

Alvarado told the centenarians that they serve as the “lights and pillars of the home”, inspiration to others and a great source of valuable lessons due to their colourful experiences.

The governor also encouraged the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs to think and create more worthy projects that could help more the senior citizens and even their office.

Prior to this, 45 Bulakenyo centenarians already received PHP100,000 cash gift from the national government and additional cash incentives and certificates of appreciation from the provincial government last May wherein PHP10,000 was given to each newly identified centenarian while PHP3,000 was given to previously recognized ones.

Gabriela Ileto, a centenarian from Barangay PulongTamo, San Ildefonso, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the additional blessings that she received including a new wheelchair, diaper, blanket, alcohol and food like oatmeal and biscuits.

Meanwhile, the new set of officers of “Kaagapay ng mga may Kapansanan (KASAMA KA) saBulacanparasamgaBulakenyo”, an organization of persons with disability in the province headed by their president, Ariel Manalad, took their oath of office.

According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Rowena Tiongson, the giving of recognition to the centenarians is on its fourth year and is being conducted yearly in accordance with the Republic Act No. 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016.”