Emano comm wants info drive on Expanded Centenarian Act intensified

THE City Council committee on senior citizens chaired by Councilor Yevonna Yacine B. Emano called on the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWD) to strengthen the information dissemination on the nationwide cash gift distribution for expanded centenarian act beneficiaries.

This, following the endorsement letter from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) memorandum circular to all Local Government Units (LGUs) relative to the granting of cash incentives to Filipino octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians, also known as milestone age, for year 2024 and 2025.

The Expanded Centenarians Act was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on February 26, 2024, granting recognition and ₱10,000 cash gift to seniors who reaches the milestone age of 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old, while P100,000 cash gift to centenarians.

During the committee meeting, Ms. Clarita Tonido of CSWD said as of March 10, 2025, 622 senior citizens had already submitted their applications, and the distribution date of benefits had been set. 

Meanwhile, Ms. Coleen Chavez, focal person of Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), reported that they coordinated with the barangay’s chapter presidents to identify the qualified senior citizens and conducted information drive through the City Information Office (CIO) and different radio stations for awareness.

The NCSC had provided the city with application forms last January 2025 and was selected as one of the pilot cities to launch the simultaneous distribution last month, where 28 beneficiaries have received their incentives, she added.

She further urged the beneficiaries to submit their application six months before the milestone age.

Councilors Imee Moreno and Rustico M. Achas who attended the meeting expressed their support to the information dissemination drive. (JBDacer/SP)