MAKATI Mayor Abigail Binay recently visited one of the city’s newest centenarians at her home where she personally awarded a check for P100,000 as cash gift and a plaque of recognition, as part of the city’s grateful tribute to its elderly citizens.
Binay expressed her pleasure to have met the city’s 42nd centenarian, Salvacion L. Fantonia of Barangay West Rembo, who is the 20th awardee during her term.
“I am honored to meet one of the oldest living pillars of our community. I consider it a rare privilege to be able to somehow express our gratitude and appreciation for our elderly residents, whose contributions to our progress are immeasurable,” Binay said.
Fantonia was born on June 22, 1917, in a family of 15 siblings. She became a widow in 1959 and, as a single mother, raised and supported her four children Loreto, Estrelita, Aurora and Lily by doing laundry for others.
To make both ends meet, her eldest child, Loreto, helped her by selling pan de sal and newspapers, and polishing shoes.
At present, Nanay Salvacion is in good health and can still walk with the help of a walker.
City Ordinance 2012-099 entitles Makati City senior citizens who are Blu Card holders to a one-time P100,000 cash gift upon reaching 100 years old. It serves as a tribute for their significant contributions and role in the history and development of the city.
The city’s awardees must meet the criteria set by the MSWD, the lead implementer of the Blu Card Program: a Filipino citizen; must be a bonafide resident of Makati City; must have reached 100 years old between January and December of the current year; and must be a Blu Card and White Card holder for at least five years.