IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – Fifty years of marriage means more than simply growing old
together. For 15 couples in Impasugong, Bukidnon, it means raising families, facing hardships,
sharing daily responsibilities, and spending many ordinary days together

Their Golden Anniversary also gave the local government a chance to recognize their years of
family life, showing that elderly couples remain valued and cared for in the community.
On Sept. 8, the local government unit of Impasugong, led by Mayor Jetaime Okinlay-Gumban,
honored the 15 couples for reaching their Golden Anniversary. The recognition highlights the
local government’s effort to support senior citizens and strengthen families by giving older
couples a place of honor in the community and recognizing the lives they have built together.
Each couple received P50,000 in cash assistance, along with rice, lechon, chicken, and cake
during the celebration.

Beyond marking their 50th year of marriage, the assistance provides direct support as couples
enter their later years, when everyday needs and expenses can become harder to manage. It also
reflects the local government’s effort to turn its recognition of senior citizens into practical
assistance.
The local initiative comes alongside broader national efforts under President Ferdinand R.
Marcos Jr. to strengthen support for older Filipinos. One such program is the Department of
Social Welfare and Development’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, which provides
qualified indigent seniors aged 60 and above with a P1,000 monthly stipend to help meet daily
and medical needs.
The national social pension, however, is for qualified indigent senior citizens, and the assistance
for the 15 couples was from the Impasugong LGU as part of its local recognition program. This
distinction shows how national social protection efforts and local government initiatives can
provide different forms of support for older Filipinos.
More than a celebration, the gathering highlighted couples who have spent five decades building
their families and supporting each other through good and difficult times. In Impasugong, where
family ties and respect for elders remain important, their long marriages are part of the
community’s story. Their experiences remind younger generations of the patience, responsibility,
and care needed to build a strong family.
Mayor Okinlay said the couples’ stories show that a lasting marriage does not require a perfect
relationship. It requires spouses to stay, understand each other, care for one another and face
life’s challenges together. She said their experience also reminds the community to continue
giving attention and care for senior citizens as they grow older.
“Seeing our Nanay and Tatay still side by side after all these years is truly heartwarming. Their
example teaches us that love is about holding hands through every season,” she said.
For the families of the honorees, seeing their parents or grandparents reach 50 years of marriage
reminds them of the life they shared and the family they helped build. Their story is not only
about how long they stayed married but also about the years they spent raising children, helping
one another, and facing problems as a family.
Beyond celebrating milestones, the Impasugong local government’s recognition and support
address elderly citizens’ needs. By honoring these 15 couples on their golden anniversaries, the
LGU reinforced its lasting commitment to senior welfare, dignity, and community support.
Fifty years of marriage marks a long journey for these 15 couples, but their celebration also
points to something larger: families remain an important part of building caring and resilient
communities. By honoring the couples and providing financial and food assistance, the
Impasugong LGU gave concrete recognition to senior citizens who have spent decades caring for
their families and contributing to community life. (Gryzl Francess L. Adviento/PIA-
10/Bukidnon)