PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday led the inaugural distribution of P10,000 cash gift for elders who have reached the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95 under the Expanded Centenarians Act, as he reaffirmed his commitment to prioritize the welfare of the elders.
The President, during a ceremony in Malacanang, also handed P100,000 cash grants to three centenarians who reached the age of 100.
Under Republic Act 11982, senior citizens who reach the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95 are given a cash grant of P10,000 each and a presidential citation.
The law maintained the P100,000 cash gift for centenarians, or those who reach the age of 100, under the Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10868).
A total of 14 senior citizens received the cash gift from the President, including Generosa Velus, Brigida Reyes, and Hiwaga Dominguez who are all aged 100. Velus and Reyes were wheelchair-bound while Dominguez walked up to Marcos with the aid of a cane.
Data from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) showed that a total of 1,079 senior citizens from different parts of the country simultaneously received on Wednesday the cash gift amounting to a total of P12 million.
A total of 275,000 senior citizens were expected to receive the cash grant this year, amounting to P2.9 billion.
The President, in his speech during the event, said the senior citizens do not deserve the hardships and abuse that some of them are currently facing.
Marcos said in the Philippines, about 73 percent of senior citizens still depend on family support, while 55 percent still pay for their health expenses.
He said the elders deserve all the love, care, and protection that they can get and the government is committed to providing for their needs and benefits.
Among the benefits they enjoy are the five-percent discount on water and electricity, applicable when water usage does not exceed 30 cubic meters, and electricity consumption is limited to 100 kilowatt hours; the 20-percent discount on transportation, medical services, and leisure activities; and free medical benefits for seniors in government health facilities.
Indigent elders also receive the P1,000 monthly Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) operates residential care facilities for abandoned senior citizens.
