MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A 100-year-old grandmother from the municipality of Pangantucan has officially joined the ranks of the country’s honored centenarians, receiving a ₱100,000 cash incentive from the national government on Monday, May 11, 2026.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region X led the ceremonial turnover of the gift to Lola Maria (family name withheld for privacy), celebrating her remarkable longevity and contribution to her community.
The cash gift is mandated under Republic Act No. 10868, also known as the Centenarians Act of 2016. This law honors Filipino citizens who reach the age of 100, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad.
- Financial Gift: Each centenarian receives a one-time cash incentive of ₱100,000.
- Letter of Felicitation: Along with the cash, Lola Maria received a Letter of Felicitation signed by the President of the Philippines, congratulating her on her milestone.
- Local Recognition: In addition to the national incentive, the local government unit (LGU) of Pangantucan typically provides additional plaques of recognition and separate financial assistance as part of local ordinances.
Surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Lola Maria shared her “secret” to a long life during the brief ceremony.
- Dietary Habits: Her family noted that she has consistently favored a diet of root crops and fresh vegetables, rarely consuming processed foods throughout her life.
- Active Lifestyle: Until her late 90s, she was reportedly still active in light gardening and walking around her neighborhood.
- Community Pillar: Lola Maria is well-known in her barangay as a storyteller and a source of wisdom regarding the history of Bukidnon.
The awarding comes amid a broader push to increase support for the elderly in the Philippines.
- RA 11982: Recently, the government began implementing the Expanded Centenarians Act, which provides ₱10,000 to Filipino seniors reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95.
- Social Pension: The DSWD continues to distribute the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, which was increased to ₱1,000 per month to help cover medical and basic needs.
The DSWD reminds families of seniors approaching the 100-year mark to coordinate with their Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) or the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
Required documents generally include:
- Birth Certificate or a Baptismal Certificate.
- Valid Government ID (Senior Citizen ID).
- In the absence of a birth certificate, an Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons who have personal knowledge of the centenarian’s age may be accepted.