Treñas pays tribute to Ilonggo centenarians

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

As part of the city government’s thrust in honoring the elderlies, Mayor Jerry Treñas personally visited two centenarians in Iloilo City on Thursday to award their citations and gifts.

Treñas gave a cake, citation and P50,000 incentives to centenarians Rufina Combatir of Brgy. San Jose in Jaro district and Marina Concepcion Yvanovich of Washington Street in Jaro district.

Born on July 19, 1919, Combatir was a former nurse of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

On the other hand, Yvanovich and her family owns the heritage house Concepcion Chalet in Jaro district.

Treñas said the city government recognized the elderlies for their wisdom and long experience particularly their shared contributions to the Ilonggo community.

“The elders are very close to my heart, that is why I visited our two Centenarians, Col. General Rufina Combatir and Marina Concepcion Yvanovich,” he said in his Facebook page on Thursday.

Elderlies should always be respected and treasured, Treñas emphasized.

“We are very grateful that God has given them long lives to further share and be the witnesses of how wonderful the world is. They must be respected and treasured for they have sacrificed a lot for us decades ago,” he added. (With a report from Iloilo City PIO)