The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) on Tuesday announced that it has started making the list of centenarians who will be given incentives next year,
CSWDO Head Atty. Marlisa Gallo said that by next year, they will be giving the P100,000 cash incentive on the birthday of the centenarian.
On Monday, the City Government of Davao awarded cash incentives to 32 centenarians in an event at the Grand Menseng Hotel.
“Atong panawagan on the ground nga kung naa mo’y senior na nag-edad daan og 99 years old, magsubmit daan og requirements sa amoa para ma prepeare na daan iyang gift as centenarian (We call those on the ground, if you have senior citizens who are 99 years old, you may submit the requirements to the CSWDO so that we can prepare their gift as centenarian),” Gallo said.
To qualify, an awardee or a family member needs to fill out an application form from the CSWDO-District Office and present a birth certificate or passport. Primary and secondary identification cards are also accepted.
Secrets to long life
The oldest centenarian who attended Monday’s event was 114-year-old Magdalena Emboy of Barangay Dalaglumot in Marilog District.
Magdalena’s son, Condrado, said his mother’s diet mainly consists of vegetables and fish.
“Dili siya mawad-an og gulay. Dili gyud na mukaon og walay dahon-dahon (She always has vegetables. She won’t eat if there’s no leafy vegetables),” Condrado said.
Condrado thanked the city government for the cash incentive which, he said, will be used to repair his mother’s house.
Desiree Chio Ramirez, daughter of another awardee– 100-year old Palanca Yap Chio –said her father’s secret is pancit.
“He never misses pancit in the morning, tanghali and gabi,” Desiree said, adding that her father does not eat beef or chicken.
“(He’s) more on fish,” she said.
But Palanca is a bit picky on vegetables.
“Pili lang ang gulay niya. Talakitok is the specific fish niya,” she added.
Awardee Martha Talandang Adon, 100 years old, said she will use her cash incentive for some home repair.
Adon said her diet mostly consists of vegetables and fish, and less soda.
Thankful, Adon said she wished all those behind the awarding be blessed and have long lives.
