UNLIKE presidential chief legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile who got his P100,000 government incentive on his 100th birthday last February 14, lola Adelaida Cullano Rabi who became a certified centenarian on February 17 could only hope to receive what is due to her under existing laws before she bids farewell.
Citing Centenarians Act of 2016, Lola Adelaida’s granddaughter Laarni Galang finds it rather imperative for the government to exercise a sense of urgency on matters which involve senior citizens who have with all certainty made sacrifices and significant contributions to the country.
“We are hoping that the local government of Taytay would prioritize handing over centenarian incentive so my lola can still enjoy what she deserves before it's too late,” one of Lola Adelaida’s grandchildren said in Nel Andrade’s article which appeared in the Manila Bulletin.
Lola Adelaida, who lives in Taytay, Rizal has 19 great-grandchildren and 18 grandchildren taking turns to visit her.
The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for sure has a database of senior citizens, in the same manner that politicians at the helm of the local government have updated lists of voters.
It’s the local government’s job to facilitate the process of reaching out to the beneficiaries of the national government’s program that gives due recognition to the country’s senior citizens who have reached 100 years of their lives.
Lola Adelaida hails from Pagsanjan, Laguna, but she’s been living in Taytay for who knows how long. Not even Lola Adelaida could remember what year she settled in the town regarded as the country’s Garments Capital.
It makes me want to think that some politicians are not that interested, maybe because they don’t stand to gain anything from her.
Or perhaps, they’re too busy with “other much important concerns.”
Lola Adelaida and other senior citizens for this matter, should be given utmost priority by the government, as provided for under Republic Act 7432 (Senior Citizens Act) which guarantees recognition, priority, and utmost care for the elderly.
Moreover, there is RA 10868 (Centenarians Act of 2016) which provides that senior citizens who reach 100 years old receive a cash incentive of ₱100,000. Aside from the centenarian incentive, indigent senior citizens or elderly people below the poverty line can also receive a monthly allowance of ₱500.
Except for the 20% discount accorded by the local pharmacy from where she buys her medicines, Lola Adelaida has yet to receive any of what the law stipulates. Aba, YorKap, galaw-galaw naman dyan!