The Ilocos Times

Many older Filipinos who are not officially classified as poor remain economically vulnerable. This suggests that poverty rates alone may fail to identify many seniors who could benefit from social protection programs, according to studies presented during the recent ‘Inclusive Social Protection Services in the Philippines’ Policy and Research Forum. The forum was organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and Australia’s flagship Social Protection, Inclusion, and Gender Equality (SPRING) program in the Philippines. Presenting a study on household vulnerability to income poverty, PIDS supervising research specialist Deanne Lorraine Cabalfin said poverty statistics alone are insufficient for identifying older persons at economic risk. The study found that while only 7.8% of senior citizens were classified as poor in 2023, 24% were vulnerable to falling into poverty. The official poverty threshold measures whether households can afford a minimum basket of...

Laoag City —The SM Supermalls will give free access to movie screenings at their cinemas for senior citizens (SC) and persons with disabilities (PWD) exclusively for the city of Laoag City as an initiative not only to promote inclusivity and accessibility but also to enhance the overall well-being of these individuals for entertainment and social engagement. Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, the brainchild of the said program announced this after the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Laoag government represented by outgoing Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon and Fariñas, and the SM Supemalls officials,   represented by SM Cinema SAVP. Karen C. Zabaljaurequi and North 1-SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager Rona B. Correa held June 23, 2025 at SM City Laoag.   After the MOA signing, several SC’s and PWDs who also attended the MOA signing, had the chance to watch a movie right after the program. Fariñas said that SM Cinema will allow SCs and PWDs to ...

  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 kad...

  Laoag mayor Michael M. Keon personally hands over a PHP100,000 check to Reymunda Raras of Brgy. Gabu Norte on Oct. 26, 2020 at her residence. The check is the city government’s incentive for Nana Reymunda as she turned 100 on Sept. 11, 2020. The centenarian has five children with multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joining them during the handover is Brgy. Gabu Norte chairperson Rodel Legaspi, CSWD officer Perlita Cabello and BASCA president Jovito Sablay. ( Alwin Formantes photo)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rages on, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here approved an ordinance providing priority lanes for differently abled persons (DAB), senior citizens (SC) and pregnant women in commercial establishments and government facilities. Laoag councilor Handy Lao said the ordinance aims to address reports that DABs, SCs and PWs are the people most adversely affected by the socio-economic situation; and they also encounter other barriers in entering public and private facilities. Mr. Lao, who authored the measure, stressed that these additional “barriers” for the said groups just add more burden to them, especially in these times. He noted that “giving compassion and respect to these marginalized sectors”, this should translate to giving them priority and express lanes in entering aforementioned establishments and facilities. Mr. Lao disclosed that establishments’ non-compliance with the ...

Laoag Mayor Michael Marcos-Keon hands over the PHP100,000 check from the city government of Laoag and a plaque of recognition to Laoag centenarian Eugenio S. Pedro of Brgy. Lagui Sail. Doms dela Cruz

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter CITY OF BATAC —Looking out for the welfare of its constituents, especially the elderly in their advanced ages, the city government here expanded the coverage of the existing Batac Centenarian Citizen’s Awards. The Sangguniang Panlungsod here amended the centenarian awards to expand its coverage. The previous council based the said ordinance on RA 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016, with the Dept. of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2016-160, which provided the policies and guidelines and the implementing rules and regulations of the said act. But prior to the passage of RA 10868 and its IRR, the council here has already passed an ordinance for the establishment of Batac Centenarian Citizen’s Award as a means of recognizing centenarians and pre-centenarians through plaques, resolutions and cash incentives. Batac councilor Violeta Daradar-Nalupta, who authored the amended ordinance, said that over the ...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —City councilor Handy T. Lao is urging the local government and private businesses here to hire senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). In an approved Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution which he sponsored, Mr. Lao said he based the measure in pursuant to Republic Act A No. 9994, Section 5 (a) which states, “Senior Citizens who have the capacity and desire to work, or, be re-employed, shall be provided information and matching services to enable to be productive members of society”. He also noted Section 5 of RA No. 7277 which also provides, “No disable person shall be denied access opportunities for suitable employment”. Mr. Lao further stressed that the city government should also adopt the national government’s recognition of the role of senior citizens and PWDs in developing a strong Filipino nation and their integral part in the society. The city promotes and gives full support to the improve...

LAOAG  Mayor Michael M. Keon administers the oath of newly installed OSCA president Ernesto Tamayo in the presence of other OSCA officers and Laoag Vice Mayor Vicentito M. Lazo. (Photo courtesy of Laoag gov’t)

  101. Laoag  Mayor Michael M. Keon hands over checks worth PHP100,000 each to centenarian awardees Encarnacion Basilio-Quitola, 101 years old of Barangay 1; and Remedios Pastor-Ramos, also 101 of Barangay 54-A, both in Laoag City. Mr. Keon handed over the check from DSWD on July 8, 2019 at the Laoag City Hall. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —The city government here honored two centenarians with plaques of recognition and PHP100,000 in check. New Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon personally handed the checks to the two centenarians on July 8, 2019 at the Laoag City Hall. The first centenarian awardee is Encarnacion Basilio-Quitola, 101 years old and the wife of the late Domingo Quitola. Mrs. Quitola in her early years was a laundrywoman and her late husband was a farmer. The Quitola couple, who hails from Barangay 1, this city was blessed with eight children, 51 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Acc...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—At least three senior citizens from Ilocos Norte received their centenarian gift on January 22, 2019 courtesy of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. Of the PHP4 million budget allocation for 2019 as provincial government counterpart for centenarian benefits in the province, at least PHP15,000 each were turned over to Mauricio P.   Rosqueta from Valdez, Marcos; Nicolas P. Abaro from Fortuna, Marcos; and Doroteo R. Rivera from Talugtog, Solsona. “The gift checks were delivered personally by a team from the PSWDO to the beneficiaries,” said provincial social welfare and development officer Lilian Rin. Under Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-10-063 approved on December last year, less fortunate senior citizens who struggle with the financial burdens of medical and funeral expenses get cash incentive. This is apart from the centenarian gift of Php100,000 each one will receive from the national government under R...

Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas lead the distribution of social pension for the third quarter of 2018 to the city’s 1,125 senior citizen pensioners of after a regular flag raising ceremony at the city hall. The Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPPISC) is an additional government assistance to augment their daily subsistence and other medical needs. (Alwin Formantes)

Laoag City —As the closing of Bicentennial Year draws near, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has intensified the Capitol Express (CapEx), bringing frontline services to the Municipalities of Vintar and Piddig and the City of Batac on January 24, 2019. Dubbed the “Capitol on Wheels," CapEx aims to deliver social welfare and agricultural services inclusively by reaching even the most remote barangays of the province. Expressing her gratefulness for the program, Caren Mae Quidilla, Piddig Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson commented, “Madami talaga ang natutulungan ng CapEx . Makikita talaga na ang programang ito ay hindi lang para makatulong kundi eye-opener rin.   Kasi kung marami ang dumadalo, meaning madami pa rin ang mga nangangailangan ng mga ganitong serbisyo. “ Advantage namin ito dahil hindi naman lahat ng tao kayang pumunta sa Capitol o sentro para humingi ng tulong,” she added. Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba, ...

Piddig, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here of Piddig led by Mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed cash incentives to social pensioners here on October 9, 2018. The social pensioners’ incentive funds came from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) share of the national government. Each pensioner received PHP200 per month, or a total of PHP2,400for 2018. They will receive the same amount for three years aside from their monthly pension amounting to PHP500. Five of the town’s 23 barangays benefited: Brgys. 1, 2, 3, 20, and 21. They were the last barangays to receive the said amount due to technical error from the provider’s system. Mrs. Guillen said, “These amounts are useful for pensioners’ daily consumption. Medical care is already provided by the municipality thru Piddig Cares 24/7 where they can ask for medicines and assistance, or an ambulance if needed.” ...