TACLOBAN CITY — Dozens of elderly residents of Borongan City received cash assistance from the national government as the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) distributed benefits to qualified octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians during an activity at the People’s Center in Barangay Songco.
Each qualified senior citizen received P10,000 in cash under the NCSC program. The beneficiaries included Borongan residents who turned 80 and 85 years old, as well as those who reached the ages of 90 and 95, from March to December 2024 and from June to September 2025.
The distribution was facilitated by the NCSC Regional Office, led by Gilda Rodeles, in coordination with the Borongan City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), headed by Virginia Buna. Barangay senior citizen presidents also assisted during the activity to help beneficiaries from their respective communities.
Senior citizens who were unable to personally claim their cash gifts were allowed to authorize a family member or representative to receive the assistance on their behalf, subject to proper documentation.
In addition to the P10,000 cash assistance, one centenarian received P100,000 from the national government pursuant to Republic Act No. 10868, or the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” which grants incentives and recognition to Filipinos who reach the age of 100.
The Borongan City local government unit also extended a separate cash incentive of P50,000 to the city’s centenarian in accordance with Ordinance No. 129, Series of 2017, which provides additional benefits to Boronganon residents who reach the century mark.
A second batch of the cash assistance distribution was held on Friday, December 19, to accommodate senior citizens who were unable to receive their benefits during the initial schedule.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
