By Brian Campued
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Thursday announced that it will begin a large-scale cash gift distribution for qualified senior citizens under the Expanded Centenarians Act in Metro Manila on Sept. 2.
In a news release Thursday, NCSC Chair and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez said the initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to speed up the release of the P10,000 cash gifts to eligible elderly Filipinos.
The President previously ordered the commission to immediately address delays in the release of the benefits following complaints lodged by senior citizens with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
Gutierrez assured that despite limited manpower, logistical, and operational constraints, the NCSC is working with local government units (LGUs) and volunteers to expedite the validation of applications.
To address the bottlenecks, the commission also plans to expand electronic fund transfers and coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on developing an online application system through the eGovPH app.
“Ang bawat senior citizen na kwalipikado sa cash gift ay dapat mapaglingkuran nang mahusay at may dignidad. Sa kabila ng mga hamon, patuloy na kikilos ang NCSC kasama ang mga LGUs, volunteers at iba bang katuwang upang matiyak ang tamang serbisyo,” Gutierrez said.
As of Aug. 26, the NCSC said it had distributed more than P1.9 billion for around 179,529 qualified senior citizens this year.
These payouts covered 95,464 beneficiaries aged 80; 54,464 aged 85; 22,682 aged 90; 6,052 aged 95; and 1,240 aged 100.
Under the Expanded Centenarians Act, all Filipinos who reach 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old are entitled to P10,000 cash gifts, while those reaching 100 receive P100,000 and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating their longevity.
-jpv
