MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo R. Duterte bestowed a Letter of Felicitation and a Centenarian gift worth P100,000 to eldest Filipino centenarian Lourdes Marquez during the ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 on September 26, at the Malacañang Palace.
The signing of the IRR was set before the observance of Elderly Filipino Week, which is annually held on Oct. 1 to 7.
Coincidentally, the National Respect for Centenarians Day is also held on the first Sunday of October.
The law grants all 100-year old Filipinos, whether living in the country or abroad, PhP100,000 as a birthday gift and a letter of felicitation from the President.
Centenarians will also receive an additional cash gift and a plaque of recognition from their respective local government units.
Aside from DSWD, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH) and Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) will also aid in carrying out the Centenarian Law.
Article XV of the 1987 Constitution states: “The family has the duty to take care of its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social security.”
Some local government units (LGUS) like Makati have already been giving PhP100,000 cash gift to their centenarians.
With the President during the occasion were Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, Council for the Welfare of Children Executive Director Patricia B. Luna, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael D. Sueno.
Earlier, the witnessed as the three department secretaries, together with Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Maria Regina Angela G. Galias, signed the IRR of the Centenarians Act to ensure that all Filipino centenarians will receive proper commendation for their contributions to nation-building.
The event concluded with a photo opportunity with Pres. Duterte, his cabinet secretaries and other centenarians with their relatives and caretakers to celebrate the momentous event.
Pres. Duterte leads ceremony honoring Filipino centenarians
