The implementation of the Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarian Act of 2016 mandated the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to give recognition to any Filipino citizen, residing here or abroad, with a cash gift of PHP 100,000 along with the Presidential Letter of Felicitation.

In Central Visayas, a total of 1,009 centenarians have received the recognition from DSWD Field Office 7 since the start of implementation in 2016 up to 2024 with PHP 100.9 million worth of cash gift released.

Females comprised 77% of the centenarians or 778, while 23% were males or 231.

Cebu has the highest number of centenarians paid with 474 (M: 96 and F: 378), followed by Bohol with 282 (M: 73 and F: 209), Negros Oriental with 217 (M:58 and F: 159), and Siquijor with 36 (M:4 and F: 32).

According to the data, cities of Cebu (91), Carcar (18), and Mandaue (15) of the province of Cebu, Bayawan (19) and Dumaguete (27) in Negros Oriental, and Tagbilaran (19), have the most number of centenarians paid since then.

Among the common factors of their longevity are personal practices such as good eating habits, healthy lifestyle, values, deep faith in God, walking, adequate hours of sleep, and positive disposition.

Beginning 2025, the implementation of RA 10868 will be fully transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero said DSWD 7 started the transition earlier this year. “The transfer of the implementation includes sharing of data, briefing with the commission on the processes and steps to be undertaken such as the conduct of cash advances, how to engage with LGUs, and putting the safety of the centenarians during the release–all of these is to ensure a smooth implementation of the program once transferred,” she said.

She hopes that the NCSC will continue the on-time delivery of cash gifts started by the Department. Lucero explained that in many instances, DSWD has paid those recipients within 5 days after they turned 100 years old.

The full transition of the program includes the transfer of technology, process, and funds, and the current personnel of the DSWD who implements the program will join the commission. ###

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