• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City Government, through the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), has recorded a total of 796 senior citizens as eligible to receive benefits under the Ladderized Centenarian Program this year.
Assistant Department Head of the DSSD Alma Gustilo said the funding for these 796 beneficiaries was strategically allocated as early as 2025 to ensure timely distribution.
The program specifically targets seniors within the 80-89 and 90-99 age brackets, providing them with a cash incentive of P10,000 each.
To sustain the initiative, the city government allocated an annual budget of P14 million to cover approximately 1,400 seniors who fall within the qualifying age brackets.
Additionally, P1 million is specifically set aside for centenarians who reach the milestone age of 100.
For those who are eligible but have not yet processed their documents, the DSSD confirmed that they are still accepting applications.
Interested residents can secure the necessary forms at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs.
The ladderized approach is designed to provide financial support to the elderly earlier in their lives rather than waiting for them to reach a full century.
Payouts officially commenced yesterday for eligible residents in barangays Alijis, Handumanan, and Felisa.*
