The local government of Pasig is now finalizing the implementation of its expanded Centenarian Incentive program which aims to provide cash gifts to senior citizens who are 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years old to formally recognize them as beneficiaries.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said on Monday, Feb. 17, that the initiative was authored by Councilor Simon Tantoco and Councilor Pao Santiago.
During the program's initial planning, Sotto acknowledged some issues that emerged, prompting adjustments to the city ordinance, and emphasized that although the ordinance is still in its finalization stage, he reassured beneficiaries that it will be properly implemented once completed.
Residents were advised to wait for the official announcement from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) which will be disseminated through the Public Information Office (PIO).
Meanwhile, the mayor also reminded senior citizens to avail of their benefits or payouts and to get them only during their designated schedules, stressing that the payout system was put in place for efficiency and convenience.
Local Senior Pension Program expansion
He also announced that the Local Senior Pension (LSP) Program will be expanded to include retirees who are receiving pensions from the Social Security System (SSS).
However, he said that the main challenge in the expansion would be sharing data between the two systems, but assured that efforts are being made to implement proper data-sharing procedures.
The mayor thanked the SSS for speeding up the process to ensure proper implementation, noting that a recent committee hearing led by Councilor Pao Santiago and attended by SSS officials had already been conducted.
After the committee hearing, he said that the next step is to finalize and sign a Memorandum of Agreement or Data Sharing Agreement with the social insurance institution.