Baguio: The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) announced that a total of 8,658 senior citizens across the Cordillera region have received a PHP10,000 cash gift under Republic Act 11982, also known as the Expanded Centenarians Act.
According to Philippines News Agency, the data from the NCSC indicated that from March 17 to December 31, 2024, 2,795 seniors who reached the ages of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 benefited from this initiative. An additional 5,668 seniors received their cash gifts between January 1 and December 31, 2025, while 195 seniors were awarded between January 1 and January 31, 2026.
NCSC Cordillera Administrative Region Director Luz Laureta-Balisong revealed that the government allocated PHP96.03 million for these cash gifts. She mentioned that the agency has received 2,187 applications for the cash gifts, which are currently undergoing validation and are expected to be distributed by May or June this year. Eligible senior citizens can apply for the cash gift at least six months before or one year after their milestone birthday.
Laureta-Balisong emphasized the importance of validation to ensure that beneficiaries are alive at the time of application. However, exceptions are made for seniors who have passed away after reaching a milestone age but before receiving the cash gift. "We still give the amount as long as they were able to reach the milestone age alive," she stated.
The application process also aids the NCSC in determining the actual number of senior citizens reaching advanced ages, which helps in decision-making for the sector. On Monday, the NCSC distributed cash gifts of PHP10,000 each to four senior citizens with milestone ages, aligning with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.'s YAKAP and GAMOT programs in the region.
RA 11982, signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in February 2024, ensures that senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90, and 95, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, receive a PHP10,000 cash incentive at each milestone age, with an additional PHP100,000 awarded upon reaching 100 years old.
