Leonora Ibay (seated) poses with some of her 18 children and 100 grandchildren in this photo posted by Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda on Friday, Oct. 7. (Photo courtesy of Pampanga PIO)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A 102-year-old woman, who has more than 100 grandchildren, became the 784th recipient of the Pampanga provincial government’s P100,000 cash incentive for citizens aged 95 years old and up.
Leonora Ibay of Barangay Santiago in Lubao town received the check last Thursday, Oct. 6, Gov. Dennis Pineda posted on social media on Friday.
Ibay, born on May 20, 1920, also received a certificate of recognition from Board Members Fritzie David-Dizon and Sajid Eusoof.
“She said her secret to a long life is eating plenty of vegetables,” said Elizabeth Baybayan, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
“So far, Apong Leonora is the oldest elderly person alive,” Baybayan said.
Ibay is a day older than Pio Manliclic, born May 19, 1920, in Mexico town, she said.
Ibay’s family eked out a living by farming. With 18 living children, she was widowed in old age.
Pineda said his mother, then Gov. Lilia Pineda, started in 2015 the local program of giving P100,000 to those who reached 95 years old and above.
Given to 59 elderlies in District 1; 203 in District II; 257 in District III and 265 in District IV, the assistance has totaled P78.4 million.
The legal basis of the aid is Provincial Ordinance No. 683 and Republic Act No. 10868.
“It is our way of thanking our senior citizens for taking care of their families, working to raise them, and helping out in their communities when they were young and able,” Pineda said. INQ
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