The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas will continue implementing the Social Pension program for indigent senior citizens. The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) will implement the Centenarian Act starting in 2025.
The Republic Act 10868, also known as the Centenarian Act of 2016, provides any Filipino citizen with a cash gift of Php 100,000 and a Presidential Letter of Felicitation.
Beginning in 2025, the implementation of this act will be transferred from DSWD to the NCSC through RA 11350, which mandates the transfer of functions, programs, projects, and activities related to the welfare of senior citizens from DSWD to the commission.
DSWD 7 reported that 1,023 centenarians in Central Visayas received the cash gift from 2016 until 2024, releasing Php 102.3 million pesos. Females comprised 77% of the centenarians, or 792, while 23% were males, or 231.
The complete transition of the program includes the transfer of data, technology, process, and funds, and personnel from DSWD who implement the program will join the commission to ensure a smooth transition.
On the other hand, the increased monthly stipend of Php 1,000 for the Social Pension program will continue to be implemented by DSWD.
Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero stated that DSWD continues implementing the Social Pension program through direct payouts or fund transfers to local government units (LGUs). “There is no update yet on when DSWD will transfer the implementation of the Social Pension program to the National Commission of Senior Citizens. For now, we will continue to be stewards of this program for the elderly,” she said.
In 2024, 100% of the 299,737 social pension beneficiaries received the increased monthly stipend of Php 1,000, giving them a total of Php 12,000 to aid them in their basic needs.
Expanded Centenarian Act
This year, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) will begin implementing Republic Act 11982, also known as the Expanded Centenarian Act, alongside RA 10868.
RA 11982 amends RA 10868 to provide financial grants to centenarians, octogenarians, and nonagenarians on their milestone birthdays.
Under this expanded act, individuals celebrating their 80th, 85th, 90th, and 95th birthdays will receive a cash gift of Php 10,000. Those who reach the age of 100 will receive a cash gift of Php 100,000.
NCSC Cluster 4 oversees regions 6 (Western Visayas) and 7 (Central Visayas) and has an office at the former IBP Building within the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound in Cebu City. ###
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