By Nimfa Estrellado (L-R) Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala, Quezon Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian at t...
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| (L-R) Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala, Quezon Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian at the celebration of the 11th founding anniversary of the Lucena City Public Schools Retired Teachers and Employees Association (LCPSRTEA) held on October 10, 2023, in Lucena City. (Photo from Doktora Helen Tan/FACEBOOK) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Elderly Filipinos can soon receive cash gifts by the time they reach 80 or 90 years of age as part of a new government program aimed at providing financial support to the elderly population.
The proposed bill, which seeks to expand the coverage of the Centenarians Act of 2016, granting additional benefits and privileges to Filipino senior citizens, was approved on the third and final reading of Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2028.
On Tuesday, October 10, the local government here, along with Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, celebrated the 11th Founding Anniversary of the Lucena City Public Schools Retired Teachers and Employees Association (LCPSRTEA) with a theme "Enhanced Centenarian Act of 2023: Hope of the Retired Educators."
The senator, one of the proposed bill's authors, acknowledged and discussed its importance in providing comprehensive social support for senior citizens, particularly in terms of financial assistance and access to healthcare services.
He pointed out that the proposed bill aims to not only provide healthcare and social support but also to promote inclusivity and the active participation of senior citizens in society that by granting privileges to Filipino senior citizens, we are acknowledging their valuable contributions and honoring their years of hard work and dedication.
Senator Imee Marcos, the bill's sponsor, stated in a statement that the average life expectancy among Filipino senior citizens is 79 years for men and 83 years for women, emphasizing the need to ensure that their remaining years are filled with quality and fulfillment.
Gatchalian achievements in Valenzuela City for the welfare of the elderly sector include the establishment of senior citizen centers that provide various recreational and educational activities, as well as the implementation of programs that promote social inclusion and empowerment for senior citizens.
Quezon Governor Doktora Helen Tan and Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala were also present during the event to show their support and love for retired teachers, recognizing their valuable contributions to the education sector.
They also highlighted the need for continued efforts to provide opportunities and resources for senior citizens to actively participate in society, ensuring their social inclusion and empowerment through various programs and initiatives.
Both officials expressed their commitment to continuously improving the welfare and well-being of retired teachers and ensuring that they receive the benefits and support they deserve, including organizing regular community events and workshops specifically tailored to the needs and interests of senior citizens in order to foster a sense of belonging and promote their overall quality of life.
Tan has also announced the provision of cash incentives to senior citizens aged 95–99 in the amount of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) and centenarians (100), raised from P20,000 to P50,000, to further support the senior citizen, whose legacy has greatly contributed to the development of the education system and society as a whole.
Meanwhile, part of the festivities for 11th Founding Anniversary Lucena City Public Schools Retired Teachers and Employees Association (LCPSRTEA) is also in line with Elderly Filipino Week celebrations, where the organization recognizes and honors the invaluable contributions of retired teachers and employees to the education sector.
300 retired teachers from the public school districts of Lucena's North, East, South, and West expressed their gratitude for the increased financial support for senior citizens, specifically the increase in pesos and centenarian benefits, which has helped alleviate some of the financial burdens they face in their retirement years.
The Department of Health and Integrated Provincial Health Office provided free flu vaccinations for retired teachers to ensure their health and well-being in their golden years.
Elderly Filipino Week, from October 1–7, 2023, is a special time to honor and recognize the valuable contributions and achievements of the elderly population in the Philippines.
It serves as a reminder to society of the importance of respecting and caring for our senior citizens, who have dedicated their lives to building a better future for all generations.
This year’s theme, "Honoring the Invaluable Legacy of Filipino Senior Citizens," emphasizes the contributions of Filipino Senior Citizens in contemporary society and highlights the need to celebrate their wisdom, experience, and resilience.
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