President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies led by the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) to take immediate action to release and distribute the P10,000 cash gifts due to eligible elderly Filipinos.
Palace Press Officer Clare Castro announced the directive on Wednesday after complaints reached Malacañang regarding long-delayed payouts for seniors reaching the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95.
The directive follows a formal complaint filed before the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) by eight senior citizens from Quezon City who have yet to receive their benefits. The complainants raised serious concerns over the delays, noting that some of their peers have passed away without ever receiving the financial assistance guaranteed by law.
Castro emphasized that President Marcos wants the distribution process expedited immediately.
“Iyan naman po ay talagang kailangang maipaabot sa kanila nang mas mabilis at sa mabilis na pamamaraan. So, ipinag-utos niya rin na agaran itong solusyunan,” Castro said, stressing that there is no reason to delay assistance intended for the elderly.
Under Republic Act 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act signed into law in 2024, all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, are entitled to a P10,000 cash gift upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95. Upon reaching 100 years old, beneficiaries receive a P100,000 cash gift along with a letter of felicitation from the President.
Following the President’s order, ARTA endorsed the complaints to the NCSC’s Committee on Anti-Red Tape, with a clarificatory meeting set for August 28 between ARTA, the NCSC, local government units and the complaining senior citizens to resolve the backlog.