BACOLOD CITY—They no longer have to wait until they turn 100 to avail themselves of cash incentives because nonagenarians in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, can also receive such additional benefit from the local government.
Mayor Alfredo Marañon III said on Wednesday he will give cash grants to 200 nonagenarians this year.
Starting this week, a total of 21 elderly Sagaynons, who have reached the age of 90, received P50,000 each from the city government as provided in City Ordinance 2019-009, or “An Ordinance Granting Additional Benefit to Senior Citizens in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, and Providing Funds Thereof.”
“It is hereby declared a policy of the city government of Sagay to recognize and honor the elderly who are considered valuable citizens that led exemplary long lives that deserve to be given tribute and respect,” said the ordinance, which was enacted on May 29 this year.
It covers all qualified Sagaynons aged 90 to 99 years old, and those aged 100 years and more, who will receive cash grants of P50,000 and P100,000, respectively.
They should be residents of the northern Negros city for at least five years.
The Office of the Mayor has formed a committee tasked to evaluate the nonagenarian and centenarian awardees, along with the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs and the City Council Committee on Senior Citizens.
Last November 5, three centenarians from Sagay were among the 33 honored by the provincial government during the 121st Negros Day program in Bacolod.
They were Trinidad Canoy Suarez and Roberto Custodio Sumbi Sr., both 100, and Luminada Ursal Monares, 104.
Each awardee received P100,000 in cash incentive, a plaque of recognition, and a Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program card.
Image credits: Sagay City Information and Tourism Office