SOME P17 million in cash assistance from Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda has benefitted at least 153 senior citizens 95 years old and above from 2020 to 2021.

For 2021 alone, some 114 seniors received cash aid worth P100,000 each. In the same year, the families of some 11 elderly who had died before receiving their checks were still accorded financial support.

Ergio Turla, 95, thanked Pineda for the support, which he said would greatly help in the purchase of his medicines and other personal needs.

“"Aldo't bengi isipan kehanggang abak at mabie ku eku akalingwan ining gewa nang Gov para kekami,” Turla said, adding that the financial assistance is a breather for his family who has been supporting his financial needs.

Pampanga is the pioneer in the distribution of cash incentives to centenarians worth P100,000.

Pineda said the purpose of the program is to recognize the contributions made by grandparents to their respective communities and families. He added that it is a gesture of love and support to both the beneficiary and family. Aside from cash incentives, beneficiaries also received milk.

Pedro Juco, 95, from Lubao town urged the governor to continue the program.

““Dakal pung salamat Governor sana datang ing panaun makanyan ya rin pu ing gawan yu karing kalupa ku. King katua ku, sobra ku kasaya, eku aisipin a datang ku king biyie ku ining biyayang ini," Juco said.

The said cash gift is part of the privileges and benefits provided by the provincial government to senior citizens under Ordinance No. 683. This program was implemented by virtue of provincial Ordinance 683, series of 2014, or “An Ordinance Enacting the Senior Citizen Code of the Province of Pampanga.”

Initially, only those who have reached 100 years old were entitled to receive the incentive.

Ordinance 647 or the Senior Citizens Code was then amended by the Provincial Board, lowering the age of the beneficiaries from 100 to 95 years old.