The provincial government here has released P3.7 million in financial assistance to 1,314 senior citizens in Antique under its Kabalaka sa Lolo kag Lola sa Probinsya (Concern for Grandfather and Grandmother in the Province) program.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Social Worker Jason Alagos, in an interview on Thursday, said the initiative aims to provide recipients with cash assistance they can use to buy food, medicines, and other needs.
‘The annual financial assistance is being given to senior citizens, 85 years old and above,’ he said.
The amount released covered the distribution from Sept. 10 to 17.
The amount varies depending on their age group. Those 85-89 years old receive P2,000; 90-94 years old, P3,000; 95-99 years old, P5,000; and 100 years old and above, P10,000.
This local financial assistance comes on top of the newest major legislation for senior citizens, or the Expanded Centenarians Act (Republic Act No. 11982), which expanded cash incentives to include older age milestones rather than just waiting until age 100.
Key provisions of the Expanded Centenarians Act include milestone cash gifts: Senior citizens who reach the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95 now receive a cash gift of P10,000 at each milestone.Those who reach 100 years old receive P100,000 along with a congratulatory letter from the President.
Meanwhile, the provincial government released P1.3 million in aid to individuals in crisis situation to 239 individuals in Antique over the same period.