The local government of Makati has named its new centenarian awardee, bringing to 45 the total number of centenarians in the city during the administration of Mayor Abigail Binay.
Esther P. Cruz, a resident of Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, received the P100,000-check from a staff of the Makati Social Welfare Department who visited her at her home on Tuesday.
Born on May 12, 1920 in Negros Occidental, Mrs. Cruz obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1946.
She worked as Assistant City Health Officer in Davao City and served in various health centers before coming back to Manila.
Records from Makati City Hall showed that Cruz has been a Blu Card holder since July 4, 2011.
The five other new centenarians who also received P100,000 each from the city government were Emilia V. Magsaysay of Barangay Poblacion; Adelaida C. Soria, of Barangay Cembo; Natividad V. Yuson, of Baragay Pembo; Florina R. Kaluag-Liboro, of Barangay Bel-Air; and Manuel Y. Carmona, of Barangay Urdaneta Village.
The latest awardees were able to meet the criteria set by MSWD, the lead implementer of the Blu Card Program, as follow:
1) must be a Filipino citizen; 2) must be a bonafide resident of Makati; 3) must have reached 100 years old between January to (xic) December of the current year; and 4) must be a Blu Card and White Card holder for at least five years.
Makati City's initiative to award P100,000-check to centenarians came before the enactment of the 2016 national law granting cash gifts to Filipino centenarians.
City Ordinance 2012-099 entitles Makati senior citizens who are Blu Card holders to a one-time P100,000 cash gift upon reaching 100 years old.
It serves as a tribute for their significant contributions and role in the history and development of the city.
Since 2012, the city has recognized 70 centenarians, including 45 during the administration of Mayor Abigail Binay.