MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.net/ 23 August 2025) – – Four new centenarians each received Php 50,000 cash gift from the provincial government last week.
Aside from the cheque, Luisa Molmisa Quito and Amadeo Cuizon Dignos of Manolo Fortich and Narcisa Dulay Delinila and Filipa Campugan Barbadillo of Malaybalay also received plaques and food packs. Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque personally gave the awards on separate occasions on August 11 and 12. Staff from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office were also present.
The province began giving incentives last year after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed the Ordinance No. 2024-076R. This is in addition to the Php 100,000 centenarians receive from the national government since 2016.
Earlier reports said the province now has 21 centenarians—the oldest of which is a 110-year-old from Talakag.
At the awards ceremony, PSWD Officer Ellen Salumintao urged those nearing their 100th birthdays to start preparing their documents for submission.
National statistics
According to this year’s government report, the country has more than 1,000 centenarians, 20 percent of which are males and 80 percent females. DSWD said they had already given Php 1.2 billion in cash gifts to 12,000 centenarians since 2017.
The latest census in 2020 did not classify centenarians as the last bracket grouped those who are 80 years old and above. There were 958,299 of them in 2020, which was statistically projected to have increased to 1.1 million by 2025.
Since last year, octogenarians and nonagenarians in the Philippines and abroad have been receiving a cash gift of 10,000 pesos from the national government when they turn 80, 85, 90, and 95.
Notable centenarians
The oldest Filipino recorded in recent history is Francisca Susano of Negros Occidental. She was born on Sept. 11, 1897 when the Philippines was still under the Spanish empire and died in 2021 at the age of 124 before being recognized by any international body. Her secret to a long life? Eating the Visayan vegetable dish “law-oy” everyday.
Among the country’s notable living centenarians is 108-year-old Whang-od Oggay, popularly known as Apo Whang-od of Buscalan, Kalinga. Considered the last mambabatok of her tribe practicing their ancient art of tattooing, she continues to work with her protégés tattooing local and international visitors of her village.
Another one is former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile,101, who is still working as the President’s Chief Legal Counsel.
The country’s retirement age is at 60 to 65 but those who express desire to continue working or be rehired are allowed to do so under special programs. Those who wish to study are also given scholarships and grants.
Senior citizens (60 years old and above) also enjoy a 20 percent discount on the purchase of goods and services; free medical and dental care; pension; monthly allowance for indigents; among other benefits.