TACLOBAN CITY — More Filipino senior citizens are expected to benefit from government cash gifts next year, with P3.44 billion earmarked in the proposed 2027 national budget for qualified elderly Filipinos reaching key age milestones, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said.
The proposed allocation is P140 million higher than the P3.3 billion provided for the program in the 2026 national budget under the Expanded Centenarians Act.
Under Republic Act 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024, Filipinos who reach the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95 are entitled to receive a P10,000 cash gift for each milestone.
Those who reach 100 years old are entitled to a P100,000 cash gift under the law.
Libanan urged families to ensure that senior citizens aged 60 and above are registered with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) through its Elderly Database Management System.
He said registration would help facilitate the identification of qualified beneficiaries and their access to government benefits.
As of Aug. 26, the NCSC had distributed more than P1.9 billion in cash gifts to 179,529 beneficiaries, including qualified octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians.
The program is part of the government’s efforts to recognize the contributions and long lives of Filipino senior citizens by providing financial assistance as they reach significant age milestones.
Libanan issued the statement as the country observed National Respect for Centenarians Day on Sunday, which is celebrated every first Sunday of October as part of Elderly Filipino Week from Oct. 1 to 7.
The observance highlights the importance of respecting and recognizing the contributions of senior citizens and centenarians to Filipino families and communities.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
