The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas continues serving the centenarians. As of the third quarter of 2024, DSWD served 77 centenarians with a cash gift of Php 100,000 and a felicitation letter signed by the President.

With the ongoing validation of remaining potential beneficiaries, DSWD 7 reminds relatives or representatives of potential centenarians that they must submit the needed documents at least a month before their birthday to ensure they receive the incentive on time.

“If you have a family member who is about to turn 100 years old, coordinate with your local social welfare and development office or the office of senior citizens affairs to receive information on requirements, processes, and privileges,” said Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero.

The Republic Act 10868, or the Centenarian Act of 2016, provides incentives and privileges to all Filipino citizens who reach 100 years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, in honor of their longevity and contribution to the country.

The privileges include a PHP 100,000 cash gift, a felicitation letter from the Philippine President- a posthumous recognition for those who died after their birthday, and incentives from their local government unit.

Since its inception in 2016, some 982 centenarians in Central Visayas received their cash gift with a Php 98.2 million amount released by DSWD. Provincial breakdowns are as follows: Bohol-273, Cebu-462, Negros Oriental-212, and Siquijor-35.

Identification and requirements

Under the law, the applicant must have a birth certificate or a passport as proof of age and citizenship. If the two documents are unavailable, other identification documents may be required.

Other documents such as identification cards issued by OSCA, Government Service Insurance System (GSI), and Social Security System (SSS); driver’s license, Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) license, postal ID, and voter’s ID may suffice.

Baptismal and marriage certificates of the potential centenarian, birth certificates of the children, and school or employment records, among others, may also be accepted if primary documents are unavailable.

Representatives must present any of these documents to the LSWDO or OSCA in their LGUs during the application to prove the identity of the potential centenarian.

DSWD will conduct validation and assessment to verify the application endorsed by the LSWDO. The distribution of the cash gift and felicitation letter will follow once approved.

“We intend to personally hand in the cash gift to them before or during their birthdays so that they will feel the pride and recognition for their contribution to our nation. That’s why we encourage relatives to process the application ahead of time,” Lucero said.

She added that LGUs also augmented the national government cash gift with incentives of varying amounts.

According to Lucero, currently, DSWD implements RA 10868 and will be transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) in 2025, along with the implementation of the Expanded Centenarians Act, which grants cash gifts to senior citizens under the age milestones of 80, 85, 90, and 95. ###

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