Pinili Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Maynard Francis Bumanglag (seated left) listens to SB member Jerry Fernandez (standing right) as the later moved for his ordinance granting a milestone award to senior citizens in the municipality of Pinili on its third and final reading while other members listen. The said measure was unanimously approved by all members present during the July 5, 2021 regular session. (Doms Dela Cruz)
By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)
Pinili, Ilocos
Norte—All members of the Sangguniang Bayan here unanimously approved, on its
third and final reading, a measure granting milestone awards to senior citizens
ages 80 years old and above.
Pinili Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Maynard Francis
Bumanglag said the measure is a tribute to senior citizens who have been developmental
partners in the municipality and incomparably contributed in strengthening
family as an institution.
“Sapay la kuma ta daytoy a
gakat ket makatulong kadagiti appo a senior citizens no adda man tay kayat da a gatangen uray sangka bassit la a gatad ken
kas pinang recognize tayo iti
nagkaadu a naipaay da a kontribusyon para iti pagsayaatan ti ili tayo a
Pinili,” Bumanglag explained.
Pinili councilor Jerry P. Fernandez, author of the ordinance, said
the measure seeks to reaffirm the long honored Filipino tradition of caring for
the elderly and most senior members of the family and community by honoring and
granting additional benefits and privileges to centenarians.
Fernandez added that the monetary benefit would be of great help
to defray expenses for their personal needs and special care.
Upon reaching 80 years old, every senior citizen is entitled to
receive PHP1,000 for 80 years old; PHP2,000 for 85 years old; PHP5,000 for 90-94
years old; and PHP10,000.00 for those with ages 95-99 years old.
The councilor further stated that only senior citizens who are a
bona fide resident have the privilege to receive the monetary award; senior
citizens from other municipalities who transferred and established residency in
this municipality are also qualified.
Aside from the monetary award, the municipal government will also
give certificates of recognition, birthday cake and a Christmas gift of PHP500 each
for those with ages 80-89 years old.
The Office of Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA) with the Municipal
Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) will recommend the awardees.
The said ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2022.
The Ilocos Times learned
that the municipal government of Pinili also prioritizes senior citizens in the
distribution of medicines who suffer from asthma and maintenance drugs for
hypertensions.
In an earlier interview with Pinili Mayor Rommel Labasan, he said
the municipal government launched the distribution of monthly supply of
medicines and check–ups to all Pinileños who suffer from hypertensions and asthma.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic however, Labasan said rural health
unit personnel are now going to the barangays for distribution as senior
citizens are not yet allowed to go out.
The municipal government initially allocated PHP2 million this
year but the mayor said he can always ask for additional allocation in case
they need more medicine.
“Daytoy iti rason no apay
kayat ko a maikkan iti naan-anay nga atensyon iti benneg iti salun-at lalo
dagiti agkasapulan iti maintenance ta
saan ket a masay-sayang no ag-expire dagiti
agas nga saan met a kasapulan unay dagiti kakailian tayo,” the mayor added.
Earlier, Bumanglag, who was then a councilor, passed an ordinance
giving centenarian awards to those reaching 100 years old. The award includes
PHP50,000 from the municipal government and PHP5,000 for the succeeding years.
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