SENIOR citizens who have reached 95 years old and up have started receiving their P100,000 cash incentives from the Provincial Government of Pampanga, as Governor Dennis Pineda ordered the continuation of the program, citing the need of elderly Kapampangans for financial support amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Board Member Anthony Joseph Torres has been leading the distribution in the second district with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
The distribution has been continued to provide elderly Kapampangans and their families with the needed financial resources to care for their elderly love one amid the economic difficulty caused by the pandemic.
Four beneficiaries in the second district received P100,000 each and a certificate from the Provincial Government of Pampanga.
"This is one way of appreciating and acknowledging their contribution sa society. It is also our way of showing respect to our elders kasi they have done their part when they were younger, so ngayon it is our way of repaying yung mga kabutihang ginagawa nila nung bata pa sila," Torres said.
The incentive program is made possible by the Ordinance 647, which was amended with Ordinance 663, which provides that senior citizens who are 95 years old or above and still alive shall be granted a P100,000 cash incentive award and a plaque of appreciation.
Initially only those who have reached 100 years old were entitled to receive the incentive.
It can be noted that Pampanga is the pioneer in the distribution of cash incentive to centenarians worth P100,000. 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.