LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- The provincial board started deliberating on a proposed ordinance granting additional benfits and privilegs to octogenrairans, nonagenarians and centenarians who are baonfide residents of the province.
Vice Governor Nelson Dangwa, Board Members Conception Balao, Florence Tingbaoen, Johnny Waguis, Esteban Piok, Jack Dulnuan, Nardo Cayat, Alfonso Fianza, Benajmin Saguid, Robert Namoro, Jim Botiwey, PCL President, Ex-Officio Member Leonardo Lawana, LnB President, Ex-Officio Mmeber James Guanso Jr., IPM Representative, and Ex-Officio Member Blas Dalus participated in the deliberations to iron out the gray areas in the ordinance before its enactment into law for the benefits of the aging population.
Boardmember Robert Namoro Discussed the said Proposed Provincial Ordinance, citing that it is the policy of the Provincial Government of Benguet to provide financial benefits to Senior Citizens in recognition of their vital roles and contribution to the development of the Province.
This Ordinance has the following purposes which is to provide cash incentives to Benguet people who are able to become octogenarians, nonagenarian and centenarians upon the effectively of this ordinance the following purposes also is to recognize the octogenarians, nonagenarian and centenarians for their immense self-discipline, healthy lifestyle, and clean leaving practices and it is to extend additional benefits and privileges to octogenarians, nonagenarian and centenarians said Namoro.
The Octogenarian is a person from the province of Benguet who reached the age of 80 up to 89 years old while the Nonagenarian is a person from the province of Benguet who reached the age of 90 up to 99 years old and Centenarian is a person from the province of Benguet who reached the age of 100 years or over, and as a resident of the province of Benguet this ordinance also include them as long as they stayed and continue to reside during the last 10 years immediately following his attaining the age of 80,90 and 100 years and during the effectivity of this ordinance.
Namoro stated also that a person claiming to be qualified to receive the incentive or benefits bestowed by this ordinance shall file with the Screening Committee any of the documents showing proof of his/her age like Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Marriage Certificate and other like records.
Qualified claimant under this ordinance will be entitled to the following benefits and privileges in Octogenarian shall be given a cash incentive of Php 10,000, Nonagenarian will be given a cash incentive of Php 20,000, Centenarian will also be given a cash incentive of Php 50,000 and under those claimant they will also be given a plaque of recognition , Free medical check-up and In addition to the benefits they receive as provided for under the Senior Citizens Law an Octogenaraian shall receive an additional 10%, Nonagenarian 15%, Centenarian 20% discount on professional fees, laboratory fees, and medicines when admitted as in-patient in any medical and health facility, owned and operated by the Provincial Government of Benguet Namoro added.
This Proposed Ordinance has not yet approved by the Provincial Board but it is still under discussion if this proposed ordinance will be passed lots of senior citizen will be given a big benefit that can help and support their needs.
By JASON DE GUZMAN
