Manila: The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has reduced the processing time for cash gift applications from 56 days to 20 days and is considering involving senior citizens to help mitigate manpower shortages in the validation process.
According to Philippines News Agency, NCSC Chairperson Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez announced that the expedited processing time will apply to applications that are complete and have undergone proper validation. Gutierrez emphasized the importance of checking applications for duplicate claims and verifying the eligibility of beneficiaries before disbursing payments.
The commission is accelerating the distribution of cash gifts in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to expedite payments to qualified senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 under Republic Act 11982, known as the Expanded Centenarians Act. Gutierrez noted that manpower remains a challenge, especially in the National Capital Region, where only a handful of personnel manage validation tasks.
To address this issue, the NCSC has been bolstering its workforce through the Department of Labor and Employment's Government Internship Program and by engaging on-the-job trainees from educational institutions. Additionally, the commission is exploring the engagement of senior citizens through DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to assist with validation and other tasks.
Gutierrez highlighted the enthusiasm of senior citizens to contribute, stating that they are eager to work, earn, and remain productive and independent. The commission is also simplifying documentary requirements for elderly applicants who face challenges in producing birth certificates.
The NCSC collaborates with local Offices for Senior Citizens Affairs and the Philippine Statistics Authority to verify applications, while alternative documents may be accepted when civil registry records are unavailable. Furthermore, senior citizens with verified digital IDs acquired through eGovPH are exempt from submitting separate birth certificates, as their information has already been verified by the government.
In partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines, the NCSC has facilitated the opening of no-fee PISO accounts for beneficiaries, allowing approved cash gifts to be deposited directly, thereby minimizing the need for scheduled physical payouts.
For 2025, Gutierrez reported that 95,464 beneficiaries aged 80, 64,464 aged 85, 22,682 aged 90, and 1,240 centenarians have received their cash gifts. She confirmed that the processing and distribution of funds have been expedited since September 2.
