THE OFFICE of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) told senior citizens to register in their office to qualify for the expanded Centenarian Act.
Senior citizens, upon reaching 80 years old and every five years thereafter will soon be getting P10,000 under the Republic Act 11982, known as “An Act Granting Benefits to Filipino Octogenarians and Nonagenarians.”
R.A. 11982 or the expanded coverage of RA 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 entitles 80-95 years old of the cash gift, which the previous law only recognized for elderly aged 100 years old.
OSCA Head Luis Moran said there is already an existing list for the population of elderly in the city as the office also handles their annual P1000 cash subsidy and P100,000 for centenarians.
“Ang announcement sa taas magpa register sila sa OSCA, considering na nga na-register na sila ang atoang himuon kay i-review na lang, i-assess na lang nato ang mga pangalan,” Moran said during the iSpeak media forum on Thursday, Feb. 29.
Applicants are advised to bring any of the following: birth certificate, valid IDs, and barangay certification, emphasizing the age of the elderly, birth, and place of origin.
They may opt to apply in person or authorize a family member to do so on their behalf, anywhere in six of their satellite offices: Angliongto, Bunawan, Buhangin, Matina Crossing 74-A, Tugbok Proper, Calinan.
OSCA reported that there are 426 aged 80 years, 225 aged 85, 100 aged 90, and 37 aged 95 as of February 2023.
The number, however, is subject to change as registration with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology is underway.
Under the law, an Elderly Data Management System will be maintained by NCSC to easily register and identify seniors-beneficiaries to ensure they receive the benefits.
Senator Bong Revilla, the principal author of the law, said the statute passed the bill during the start of the 18th Congress in 2019 but it failed to be institutionalized.
Revilla added the passage of the law will provide cash benefits for Filipino elders in the country and abroad at an earlier age so they can benefit from it more.
“Hangga’t sila ay nabubuhay pa, iparamdam na natin sa kanila ang pagpapahalaga at pagmamahal ng gobyernong ito. Malaking bagay iyon para sa kanila lalo na’t may mga pangangailangan din sila at gastos para sa gamot, vitamins, supplement, pagkain at iba pa,” the senator said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed R.A. 11982 on February 26 as a “homage to the Filipino trait of compassion.”
