Bislig City residents who reach their 80th, 85th, 90th or 95th birthday are entitled to a P10,000 cash gift from the city government, and those who reach 100 get P100,000, under a city ordinance passed earlier this year.
City Ordinance No. 2026-05, titled "Octogenarian, Nonagenarian, and Centenarian Rewards of Bislig City," was enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on March 10, 2026, during its 34th regular session. Mayor Florencio C. Garay approved it on March 19, 2026, and the council sent it to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Surigao del Sur for review the same day, as the Local Government Code requires. It was authored by Councilor Pedrito R. Sulapas and co-authored by Councilor Romeo F. Cacayan.
How much the city gives
The ordinance grants a one-time, tax-free cash incentive:
- Octogenarians (80 and 85): P10,000
- Nonagenarians (90 and 95): P10,000
- Centenarians (100): P100,000, plus a Plaque of Recognition
- Past 100: an additional P10,000 on every birthday after the 100th
The ordinance describes these as "additional rewards." They are separate from the national government's benefits. Under Republic Act No. 11982, which expanded the Centenarians Act of 2016 (RA 10868), Filipinos who reach 80, 85, 90 and 95 receive a cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the President, and centenarians receive a national cash gift as well.
The city budgeted P3.5 million for the program.
Who qualifies
The award covers living permanent residents of Bislig. The ordinance defines a permanent resident as someone registered with the city's Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) at age 60. That makes OSCA registration important for anyone hoping to claim later.
How to apply
This is the part families most need to know. The ordinance requires the senior, or their family, to submit an application form from OSCA or the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) at least four months before the birthday.
Proof of age can be any of the following:
- Senior Citizen's ID from Bislig's OSCA showing the year of birth
- Any government-issued ID showing the birth date
- Other documents or records showing the date of birth
- An affidavit of two disinterested persons supporting the claim
The awardee must be present to receive the award from city officials and a CSWDO representative during the ceremony. If the awardee is bedridden or in the hospital, the awarding committee will go to their home or hospital room and give the award with the family present.
If an awardee applies but dies while the application is being processed, and it is later approved, their relatives may still claim the incentive.
Who decides
A screening committee chaired by the City Mayor reviews every application. The OSCA head is vice chair, and members include the council's social welfare committee chair, the CSWDO head, the City Civil Registrar, the City Treasurer and the barangay captain where the senior lives. The committee recommends approval to the mayor within five working days after reviewing the requirements.
The ordinance also orders the CSWDO and OSCA to create and maintain an elderly database holding the records of every senior citizen in the city.
What to do now
If a parent or grandparent in Bislig is turning 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100 in the coming months, check their OSCA registration and ask OSCA or the CSWDO for the application form early. Bislig Today has not found a public announcement of the first awarding under this ordinance. Families can confirm the current schedule with OSCA.
Source: City of Bislig, Sangguniang Panlungsod Ordinance No. 2026-05 (enacted March 10, 2026; approved March 19, 2026), published on bislig.gov.ph.