A total of 65 elderly residents consisting of octogenarians, nonagenarians, and a centenarian from the municipality of Lambunao in Iloilo became recipients of cash incentives under the Expanded Centenarians Act.

Lambunao Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Althea Lacuesta, in an interview on Tuesday, said the recipients were those who turned 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years old during the first quarter of 2025.

Of the total numbers, 31 were 80 years old, 18 were 85 years old, six were 90, nine were 95, and one was a centenarian.

The octogenarians and nonagenarians received their PHP10,000 incentives each from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) that visited the municipality to personally deliver the cash gift during the distribution at the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) on April 11.

The lone centenarian, Angelica Lebrilla Lozarita from Barangay Bagongbong, received PHP100,000 and a Letter of Felicitation from Malacañang.

“We still have more. We have 215 senior citizens from April to December,” she said.

Further, 96 others who turned octogenarians and nonagenarians since the law took effect last year are waiting for their cash incentives.

Lacuesta said the incentives would have a great impact on the beneficiaries, recounting that others even cried when they received the amount as they intend tu use the money to purchase their medicines, food, and other supplement.

“We told the folks that the incentive should be used for the food of the senior citizen,” she said.

She said documents for target recipients are processed at the MSWD office and once complied with, the NCSC will set the date for the payout.

Lacuesta said the municipality has 10,601 registered senior citizens as of March 31 this year, including the 12 others who turned centenarians last year.

When asked about their secret to long life, Lacuesta said the beneficiaries attributed it to healthy living with a vegetable diet and without any vices.

Lacuesta added that aside from the benefits under the Expanded Centenarians Act, the municipality has 6,306 who are indigent and receiving monthly social pension, while 1,309 others are on the waiting list. (PNA)