BAGUIO CITY – The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance further enhancing the cash gift award for the city’s senior citizens by providing a cash gift of P10,000 for those who reach the ages of 65, 70 and 75 in recognition of their longevity.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr., P10 million will be appropriated by the local government from any available savings of the City Social Welfare and Development office (CSWDO) to bankroll the implementation of the proposed measure.
Further, succeeding budgetary requirements to sustain the implementation of the said initiative shall be incorporated in the annual budget of the local government.
The ordinance pointed out that a cash gift of P10,000 for those individuals who reach the ages of 65, 70 and 75 is just but appropriate for the city’s residents who have invested much of their time in helping build the city to what it is now known worldwide.
Upon reaching the age of 65, and every five years thereafter, senior citizens shall receive a cash reward of P10,000 in recognition of their longevity.
The ordinance explained that the city’s elders are the strong foundation of the community having contributed much to all the gains of the city for more than a century now.
Yangot claimed that the proposed ordinance seeks to recognize and honor the city’s elders who led exemplary long lives which deserve to be given much respect and tribute.
At present, only those who reach the ages of 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 are the ones who are entitled to receive cash rewards not only from the local government but also from the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The ordinance stipulated that life expectancy in the country for male is now 67.4 while fame is 73.6 and that the overall life expectancy among the populace is 70.4 according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data that was published in 2020.
The ordinance underscored that it is still best to give the elderly some cash gifts while they are still strong and healthy for them to enjoy whatever the government will be giving to them as a token of appreciation for their longevity. By Dexter A. See
