Bicol gives cash gifts to senior citizens on NCSC founding day

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

LEGAZPI CITY --- In celebration of its 6th founding anniversary, the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) in the Bicol region distributed cash gifts and offered various services to elderly individuals in Legazpi City on Friday, August 8.

During the event, 185 senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90, and 95 each received a cash gift of P10,000. Additionally, a centenarian from Barangay Buyuan, Legazpi City, was awarded a cash gift of P100,000 under RA 11982, or the Expanded Centenarian Act of 2024.

Partner agencies and private organizations collaborated to provide services at the event, which included free medications, health check-ups by physicians from the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center, as well as free seedlings from the Department of Agriculture.

Ma. Clarissa Lavena Bombase-Pacamarra, the NCSC regional director, said that the event aimed to recognize the contributions and significance of senior citizens in the community.

Eighty-year-old Manuel Marchan from Barangay Cruzada in Legazpi City said that he plans to use the P10,000 cash gift from the NCSC to purchase his maintenance medications and nutritious food.

“This cash distribution will greatly benefit us, and we are extremely grateful to the national government for supporting this initiative for senior citizens,” Marchan said.

Concepcion Andes, also 80 years old and residing in Barangay Homapon, Legazpi City, noted that the P10,000 cash assistance was a significant help in covering her maintenance medications and utility bills.

“My children will no longer need to provide me with money for my healthcare and eye checkup, as I need to replace my eyeglasses,” Andes explained.

Another octogenarian, Lita Zuñega from Barangay 8 in Legazpi City, expressed her appreciation to the national government for prioritizing the needs of the elderly through sustainable initiatives.

The event also marked the final cash gift distribution in the region for the second quarter of 2025.

From April to June, a total of 5,171 senior citizens received cash gifts amounting to P54.41 million. (Nicolle Frilles contributed to this story/ PIA Bicol)