Alaminos City, Pangasinan – 100-year-old Aurea Basobas Corpuz of Brgy. Bisocol, Alaminos City, Pangasinan received her PhP100,000.00 cash gift today, 24 June 2020, from the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1.

“Malaking tulong ang cash gift na ito dahil magagamit namin itong pambili ng pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng aming nanay gaya ng gatas, gamot, at diaper (This cash gift is a big help because we can use this to purchase the daily necessities of our mother like milk, medicines, and diaper),” shared Evelyn Arafiles, the eldest child of Lola Aurea. According to Evelyn, her mother’s age is the primary reason why she is not able to walk and eat solid food now. All foods must be liquefied to sustain Lola Aurea’s health and wellness.  

Prior to the provision of the financial reward, the City Government has provided PhP10,000.00 cash assistance on 18 June 2020 to the Centenarian to augment her daily requirements. The Corpuz family extended their gratitude to the City Government of Alaminos and DSWD for extending financial subsidy and expediting the provision of the said cash gift.

DSWD Field Office 1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo emphasized that all centenarians must receive their cash gifts so they may enjoy their monetary rewards while they are still living with their families. The Regional Director highlighted again the importance of the senior citizens and centenarians in nation-building for they have shaped the society we are living in today and continue to have relevant roles in designing our present and the future.

Republic Act 10868 also known as the “Centenarians Act of 2016” stipulates that all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, shall be honored with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity and shall receive a centenarian gift in the amount of P100,000.00. Further, the centenarians who died upon the effectivity of the law will be given a posthumous plaque of recognition together with the cash incentive to be received by their nearest surviving relative or family. # (by: Darwin T. Chan, Social Marketing Unit