THE decision of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to sign the amendments to the Centenarian Act (Republic Act 11982) was welcomed by Mayor Honey Lacuna.
“Good news ‘yan, dahil ang ating mga minamahal na senior citizens dito sa Lungsod ng Maynila ay kabilang sa mga tatanggap ng P10,000 cash gift mula sa national government pagsapit nila sa edad na 80, 85, 90, at 95 batay sa tagubilin ng bagong batas,” she said.
According to Lacuna, there are about 180,000 senior citizens in Manila based on records from the Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) under Elinor Jacinto.
Records also showed that as of last year, 23 centenarians were given by the local government their P100,000 cash gift as provided for by law.
The lady mayor personally delivered the cash gift to the centenarians’ homes.
It was learned that the cash gift is separate from the P100,000 being given by the national government to centenarians.
This means that in total, each senior resident in Manila who reaches 100 years of age can receive a P200,000 cash gift.
Also in Manila, senior citizens are given monthly financial assistance of P500 each aside from birthday cakes, senior Christmas boxes and monthly allocation of their maintenance medicines.
Congressman Joel Chua (3rd district) echoed Mayor Honey’s reaction to President Marcos, Jr.’s signing of the said amendments, as he additionally expressed hope for the inclusion in the updating of the OSCA database to ensure that the data or records of Manila will jive with those of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the National Commission of Senior Citizens and other concerned national government agencies.
Chua, who is also a member of the House Committee on Economic Affairs, said Manila residents are also bound to benefit from the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act or Republic Act 11981 which was likewise signed recently by President Marcos.
“Dati nang sentro ng kalakalan at negosyo ang Maynila mula pa noong bago pa man dumating ang mga mananakop na Espanyol. Kapag naipatupad nang maayos ang Tatak Pinoy Act, inaasahang mas lalakas pa ang mga produkto at serbisyong Pinoy, lalo na iyong mga itinatapat sa gawa ng ibang bansa, tulad ng electronics, highly-skilled professionals at specialists, artista, manunulat at mga produktong sakahan at pangingisda,” Chua said.
Well, in my own humble opinion, these pronouncements made by top local officials in Manila are also a piece of good news, since it is a known fact that they and the President do not belong to the same political party. It simply means that they are truly for unity, giving credit where it is due.
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A couple of senior citizen relatives of mine would like to thank Aviation Security Agent Rachel Cerce for having assisted them to the fullest when they left for the US over the weekend.
When approached for help, Ms. Rachel Cerce, they said, did not mince words and willingly assisted them with swift processing at the check-in counter of Japan Airlines (JAL).
This is a bit of good news amid some negative reports about NAIA recently. What the airport lacks in one aspect, its human resources may make up for it.
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Chuan Kee, the oldest fast food in Manila Chinatown, opened its newest branch on Blumentritt Street in San Juan City.
It also offers the traditional Eng Bee Tin products being sold in Ongpin, among them the world-famous ube hopia. San Juanenos trooped in droves to the soft opening over the weekend to get a feel and taste of Binondo. The event coincided with the ‘25th’ birthday of Gerie ‘Ube’ Chua, the brains behind the Chuan Kee and Eng Bee Tin chain.
Congrats to the ‘Ube’ family for another successful venture and happy birthday Gerie!!!
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