The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Monday said a total of 8,658 elderly persons in all provinces of the Cordillera have received a cash gift worth PHP10,000 under Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act.

Records from the agency showed there were 2,795 who reached the ages of 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 who availed of the benefit under the law from March 17 to Dec. 31, 2024.

Another 5,668, meanwhile, received the cash gift from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025 while 195 received their gifts from Jan. 1 to 31, 2026.

NCSC Cordillera Administrative Region Director Luz Laureta-Balisong said the government has released PHP96.03 million for the cash gifts of elderly persons who reached milestone ages.

The official explained that they have received 2,187 applications for cash gifts, which are now being validated and are expected to be released by May or June this year.

She explained that a qualified senior citizen can file for the release of the cash gift at least six months before the birthday or one year after the birthday.

She pointed out the need to validate to ensure that the beneficiary is still alive.

“We take exemptions for deaths before the release of the cash gift if the person was able to reach the milestone age alive but was unable to wait until the release,” she said.

“Ibinibigay pa rin po namin kasi inabot naman nila ang milestone age bago sila pumanaw (We still give the amount as long as they were able to reach the milestone age alive),” the lawyer said.

The application is also a way for the NCSC to determine the actual number of senior citizens of advanced age to guide decision-making for the sector, she added.

On Monday, the NCSC released cash gifts worth PHP10,000 each to four senior citizens with milestone ages, which coincided with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s YAKAP and GAMOT programs in the region.

Signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in February 2024, RA 11982 mandates that senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90 and 95, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, will receive PHP10,000 cash incentive every age milestone and will still receive PHP100,000 upon reaching 100 years old. (PNA)