Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Provincial Government of Mountain Province now gives recognition to individuals in the province 100 years or older.
This is thru Provincial Ordinance No. 192 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The ordinance was authored by Board member Romeo M. Pagedped and Board member Florence N. Taguiba, the Chair and Co-chair of the Committee on Women, Senior Citizens, Differently Abled and Family Relations.
100 year-old Eduardo B. Litilit, who was born on June 13, 1915, is the first centenarian awardee. Accompanied by his family, he received the centenarian award during the usual Monday flag raising program at the Capitol on July 6, 2015.
A centenarian is defined as someone who is one hundred years old or older. He or she must meet the qualifications stated in the provincial ordinance which are:
a. A permanent resident of Mountain Province for at least ten years prior to the date of award or recognition and who is certified to be of good moral character by the Punong Barangay.
b. Must be personally present to receive the award or recognition, unless physically incapable.
A birth certificate is necessary to validate the age of the nominee for the award. In the absence of a birth certificate, school records, or baptismal certificates or other documents ascertaining the date of birth may be submitted to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), who are tasked to validate these.
A qualified centenarian is entitled to a plaque of recognition and a Congratulatory Resolution from the provincial government, a one-time cash award of P20,000, and regular monthly visits by the government health personnel from the respective Rural Health Units (RHUs) in his residence for health check-ups and monitoring by the PSWDO.
The preliminary funding for the cash award was from the budget of the PSWDO and succeeding funds will be incorporated in the annual budget enacted by the SP.
Board member Taguiba said that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was inspired to pass the ordinance seeing the value of elderly people who can live up to hundred or more years old.// By Laycha K. Marra
