“Bong salamat, bong salamat (Big thanks, big thanks),” whispered T’boli elder Ganay Mendal Bongon, 86, as her wrinkled hands clutched the PHP10,000 cash gift she received from the national government like a prized treasure.
Still sprightly and chatty, she laughed and smiled between stories of life in her community and her work as a bead-maker — a skill she proudly keeps alive in her twilight years.
Bongon was one of four octogenarians from Lake Sebu who received their cash gifts on Saturday under Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act as part of a nationwide simultaneous special cash gift distribution.
Dubbed “Handog ng Pangulo,” the event coincided with the 68th birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In General Santos City, another 66 senior citizens were honored in a separate distribution and caravan of services held at Robinsons Place, bringing the total beneficiaries in Region XII (Soccsksargen) to 70 and PHP700,000 in cash gifts.
Reaching IP communities
Dr. Rochelle Gajete-Oco, National Commission of Senior Citizens-Soccsksargen (NCSC-12) Director, said they chose Lake Sebu as among the priority sites to highlight the importance of reaching out to and bringing the government’s services closer to the people, especially Indigenous Peoples communities.
“We’re very happy that we chose Lake Sebu and just seeing the smiles of our elders is a great inspiration for us to work harder and do better,” she said.
The beneficiaries also underwent free health checks from the Lake Sebu Municipal Health Office, while NCSC handed out dental kits and shared health advice.
The activity was joined by Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan Jr., councilors Vicente Somido and Cynthia Fitan, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) staff, and officers of the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP) municipal chapter.
Fungan, in his message, reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to prioritize the welfare of senior citizens.
He shared that Lake Sebu has a standing ordinance allocating one percent of its national tax allotment to programs for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
“But we will be working on increasing the share for our senior citizens. We will allocate the full one percent so we can adopt and implement more programs and services for them,” he said.
Beyond cash gifts
Oco also showcased NCSC’s flagship programs such as the Senior Citizens Community Care Center and Senior Citizens Action for Development and Nation-Building.
She cited potential partnerships with Lake Sebu on health, wellness, livelihood and the improved rollout of the Expanded Centenarians Act.
Known as the tourism capital of Region 12, Oco said Lake Sebu is an ideal pilot site for an NCSC-Department of Tourism collaboration that offers training programs for seniors to become local tour guides.
With its rich industries like T’nalak weaving and bead-making, she said senior citizens can continue to contribute meaningfully to both culture and the economy.
Caravan of services
Meanwhile, in General Santos City, the caravan of services brought together a wide network of partners: Philippine Dental Association, Unilab Inc., General Santos Medical School Foundation Inc., Mindanao State University Colleges of Law and Medicine, Lingap Diwa Foundation, Philippine Red Cross Gensan-Sarangani Chapter, Robinsons Mall Gensan, the city government, OSCA Gensan, OJO Eyewear, Life Extension Philippines, FSCAP Gensan, and the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines.
The event offered free eye, dental, and medical checkups, legal consultations, and the distribution of dental kits — expanding support to seniors beyond the cash gifts.
NCSC Commissioner Edwin Espejo, who also graced the event, honored the beneficiaries for reaching milestone ages as well as their legacy and contributions to their communities and the country as a whole.
“We are committed to ensuring that our senior citizens receive the services they deserve, and that policies and programs are constantly improved to uphold their dignity and welfare,” he added. (PNA)
