MANILA, Philippines — A total of ₱3.44 billion has been earmarked under the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 to sustain financial assistance for Filipino senior citizens reaching key age milestones, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan announced on Sunday, October 4.
The allocated amount will fund cash incentives for octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians as provided under the Expanded Centenarians Act. The proposal reflects a ₱140-million increase from the ₱3.3 billion set aside for the program in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Under the law, eligible senior citizens will receive a ₱10,000 cash grant upon turning 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old. Those reaching 100 years old are entitled to a ₱100,000 cash gift alongside a presidential letter of felicitation.
Libanan urged families to ensure their elderly dependents, particularly those aged 60 and above, are properly registered with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
“We encourage all households to register their elderly members online with the NCSC through the Elderly Database Management System so they can readily avail themselves of the cash gifts,” Libanan said.
The announcement coincided with National Respect for Centenarians Day, which is observed on the first Sunday of October pursuant to Republic Act No. 10868, as part of the broader Elderly Filipino Week celebrated from October 1 to 7.
The 4Ps Party-list representative reaffirmed the legislature’s support for maintaining the welfare program’s funding pool.
“We in Congress are absolutely determined to provide the necessary funding to sustain the payment of cash gifts due to every qualified elderly Filipino, as mandated by the Expanded Centenarians Act,” the House leader stated.
Meanwhile, the NCSC has commenced the in-person payout of benefits across the country under Republic Act No. 11982, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resolve distribution delays.
The agency is partnering with local government units to streamline payout operations.
According to NCSC records as of August 26, over ₱1.9 billion has already been released to 179,529 recipients. The breakdown of beneficiaries includes 95,464 octogenarians aged 80, 54,464 aged 85, 22,682 aged 90, 6,052 aged 95, and 1,240 centenarians.