CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Starting this year, all natural-born Capampangans reaching the age of 95 will receive P100,000 from the provincial government.
Gov. Lilia Pineda made this announcement during the assembly of senior citizens from the province’s second district held on Tuesday at Salilungan Pasalubong Center, this city. The elderlies who came from the towns of Lubao, Floridablanca, Guagua, Porac, Santa Rita and Sasmuan expressed elation over the statement of the governor, saying it is a precious gift from the “mother” of the province.
Last year at least 38 Capampangan centenarians received P100, 000 each from the provincial capitol as incentives for reaching the age of 100 and above by virtue of Ordinance 647, which enacted the Senior Citizens Code of the Province of Pampanga and unanimously approved by the provincial board on November 21, 2014.
However, lawyer Andres Pangilinan Jr., provincial administrator, and Elizabeth Baybayan, provincial social welfare and development officer (PSWDO), explained to the senior citizens that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) headed by Vice Gov. Dennis Delta Pineda made an amendment to the said ordinance.
Pangilinan said Ordinance 647 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.
The governor also explained to the elderlies that there is now a national law that provides free Philhealth for the senior citizens who are holder of senior citizens identification card and they can use it anytime they want to be admitted in hospitals. The governor said indigent, bedridden senior citizens would receive P1,000 each as part of the social pension program of the provincial government.
During the elderly meet, the governor also announced that the provincial government will construct an expansion building of Romana Pangan District Hospital in Floridablanca with the amount of P15 million that will house separately the senior citizens when admitted in the said hospital.
She said the provincial government is bent on constructing senior citizens buildings between boundaries of the barangay so that elderlies have the place for relaxation, recreation and other worthwhile activities.
Doctors, medical staff who shall visit thrice a week, will man the facilities that will be used also as clinics.