By Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — After honoring three last month, the city government paid tribute to eight more centenarians on Monday afternoon.
Five of the eight met with Mayor Evelio Leonardia and other city officials in rites held at the City Mayor’s Office of the Bacolod Government Center to receive their cash incentives of PHP100,000 each.
The three, who were unable to come, received their checks from personnel of the City Department of Social Services and Development who visited them at home.
“It’s a blessing that you have reached 100 years old or more. And I’m glad that the government has already institutionalized this kind of program for our centenarians,” Leonardia told the centenarians during the tribute.
He also acknowledged the families of the honorees for taking good care of their old family members.
The eight centenarians were Trinidad Piccio, 103, of Barangay Mansilingan; Estrella Balida, 103, Barangay Handumanan; Prudencia Hechanova, 102, Barangay Sum-ag; Flora Togle, 102, of Barangay Estefania; Patricio Sioson, 101, Barangay Taculing; Diosdada Caspe, 101, Barangay Taculing; Ines Benavidez, 100, Barangay Villamonte; and Hermilinda Elordi, 100, Barangay 39.
Balida and Caspe shared their secrets to longevity — proper diet and regular exercise.
Last Oct. 10, the city government also recognized three centenarians — Sabina Cerbo, 103, of Barangay Granada; Maria Emma de la Peña, 100, Barangay Taculing; and Josefina Lacson, 100, Barangay Vista Alegre.
Cash incentives given to centenarians are provided in Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.
In Bacolod, a centenarian is also entitled to receive another PHP100,000 from the city government by virtue of City Ordinance (CO) No. 09-16-789.
Last Nov. 5, Negros Occidental’s provincial government also recognized 31 centenarians from various towns and cities in the province, excluding Bacolod.
The Negros First Centenarian Act grants a one-time cash incentive of PHP100,000 to centenarians who are residents of Negros Occidental for at least three years.
