PGB gives Bulakenyo centenarians a treat
CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan gave 38 Bulakenyo centenarians or those who are 100 years old or older a treat during second year of “Pagkilala at Pagpapahalaga sa mga Sentenaryong Bulakenyo” program of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office held at the Hiyas Pavilion in this city yesterday.
“Sinasabi po na maging sa bansa, ang walang nililingon na malalim na ugat na pangkasaysayan ay para pong walang paroroonan. Ganyan din po sa tao, kung wala tayong ugat na nililingon na mga lolo at lola, para lang po tayong isang halaman na walang ugat, natutuyo at namamatay,” Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said.
The governor also compared the centenarians to the star that served as a guide to the nativity and emphasized that not everyone reaches this age which is why it is just right to find in them an inspiration.
“Subalit kung bigyan ka ng pagiging senior citizen isang pribilehiyo at masasabi po nating isang karangalan sapagkat tayo ang inspirasyon, wala pong nabibili sa palengkeng katulad nila, ibigay po natin ang pagmamahal at paggalang na nararapat sa kanila,” Alvarado said.
In accordance to R.A 9994, an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens further amending R.A 7432, an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant benefit and special privileges and for other purposes, the PGB spearheaded by Alvarado decided to award 10,000 pesos to every centenarian, higher than the 3,000 pesos given during its first year.
PSWDO head Rowena Joson-Tiongson also announced additional benefits that the senior citizens especially the centenarians can avail from the government.
“Mayroon pong social pension from the national government, makipag-ugnayan po lamang kayo sa local social welfare officers kung hindi pa nakakatanggap. Hindi na po kasama dito ‘yung may iba ng natatanggap na pension sa SSS at GSIS. Libre din po ang PhilHealth ninyo, ID lang ng senior citizen ang kailangan at para sa mga nais ng financial assistance bukas po ang tanggapan ng gobernador para dito lalo na kapag People’s Day,” Tiongson said.
She also said that there is also a regular distribution of assistive and medical devices to needy elderlies every second and last Friday of the month such as BP apparatus, cane, quad cane, wheelchair, hearing aid, blood sugar tester and nebulizer.
“Nanawagan tayo na kung may kakilala kayong malapit ng mag-100 ipaalam po ninyo sa amin para maitala at maisama sa susunod na taon.
Andrea Enriquez, 101 years old who was born in Bocaue and is now residing in Obando, Bulacan, said that she is more than thankful for the long life and for everyone who makes her remaining life worth living.
“Masaya ako at buhay pa ako at nakakasama ko pa ang pamilya ko. Wala na akong mahihiling pa kung ano ang ipagkaloob ng Diyos, ipagpapasalamat ko. Tulad nitong pagkilala na ito, maganda ito at nakakatulong sa mga tao”, Enriquez said.
Enriquez also shared that she is healthy and not taking any maintenance medication.
The program that started in 2014 with 51 awardees is in cooperation with city and municipal social welfare officers and senior citizens’ organizations.