Centenarian gets P50,000 from Capitol on 102nd birthday

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2017/09/12/1738362/centenarian-gets-p50000-capitol-102nd-birthday
• Tuesday, September 12, 2017

By Lorraine Mitzi Ambrad (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Cebu Vice Governor gave P50,000 as gift to a resident of Talisay City who celebrated her 102nd birthday yesterday.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale herself gave the check to Andrica Padigos of Sitio Iba, Barangay Lagtang.

Padigos had seven children but only four are still living. Her eldest surviving child, Esterlita, is 57 years old. Although she was not able to attend school, Padigos could read and has been an active member of a novenario community.

"Ang Ginoo ra gyud ang naghatag sa atong kinabuhi," she said when asked about the secret to her long life.

Padigos' mother, Juliana Abatayo, also died at 97.

"Ayaw lang palit og tabletas," she advised those who wish to live to a hundred. She encouraged people to resort to natural remedies.

Padigos shared that she was sick with fever last week but got better by drinking the concoction of 'mangagaw' and 'bila-bila' plants.

She also urged people to eat vegetables and root crops like camote and kamoteng kahoy. She also advised the drinking of sikwate in the morning.

Consorcia, 46, the youngest daughter of the awardee said that it was representatives of the Talisay City Hall's Office for Senior Citizen Affairs and of the Department of Social Welfare and Development who informed the office of the vice governor about their mother being a centenarian.

To celebrate her birthday, the family held a small party in their home together with their relatives.

Meanwhile, Magpale said that the funding for Padigos' gift was taken from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office program which provides for incentives to centenarians.

Under Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016, all Filipinos who have reached the age of 100, whether residing in the country or abroad, shall receive a cash award from the government as a “centenarian gift.”

The fund will be taken from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In the Provincial Board Resolution 1081-2017, cash incentives will be given to centenarians “in recognition of their 100 years of existence and in support for their basic and medical needs in accordance to RA 10868.”