President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inaugural distribution of a P10,000 cash gift to eligible senior citizens on Monday, February 26, as part of the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024. The ceremony took place at Malacañang, with similar payouts occurring simultaneously across the country.
In his speech, Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of the elderly. “They deserve nothing but our love, our care, and our protection,” he said, highlighting efforts to provide seniors with a dignified and comfortable life under the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) identified 1,079 initial beneficiaries for the financial aid, with a target of distributing the cash gift to 7,759 seniors by the end of the month. Overall, the government has allocated P2.9 billion to support 275,000 elderly Filipinos nationwide this year.
Republic Act No. 11982, signed by Marcos on February 26 last year, extends financial assistance to seniors upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95. Those who reach 100 years old will continue to receive the original P100,000 incentive. The law also grants discounts on essential services such as water and electricity.
Marcos noted that a significant portion of senior citizens rely on family support and personal savings for medical expenses. Some of the centenarians benefiting from the program are World War II survivors, he added.
The President has instructed the NCSC to ensure that only qualified individuals receive the financial assistance, reinforcing the government’s goal of prioritizing senior welfare through the expanded benefits program.
