The proposed 2027 national budget includes ₱3.44 billion to fund cash gifts for qualified elderly Filipinos. The allocation covers ₱10,000 for octogenarians and nonagenarians and ₱100,000 for centenarians, according to House Minority Leader and 4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan.
Libanan announced the figure on Sunday, which the country observed as National Respect for Centenarians Day. He said the amount is ₱140 million higher than the ₱3.3 billion set aside for the same purpose in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Who qualifies and how to register
The ₱10,000 cash gift goes to senior citizens who reach the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95. Centenarians receive ₱100,000 under Republic Act No. 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024.
Libanan urged households to register their elderly members online with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) through its Elderly Database Management System so they can claim the benefit.
“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,” Libanan said.
National Respect for Centenarians Day falls on the first Sunday of October under Republic Act No. 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016. The day is part of Elderly Filipino Week, which runs from October 1 to 7 each year.
Status of payouts
The NCSC recently began mass distribution of the cash gifts. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed the commission to address delays in releasing the benefits.
The NCSC is now working with local government units to speed up distribution to qualified recipients.
As of August 26, the commission reported paying out more than ₱1.9 billion to 179,529 octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians. Among those paid were 1,240 centenarians.
The ₱3.44 billion figure is part of the proposed 2027 national budget, which is still under consideration in Congress. Elderly Filipinos or their households can register through the NCSC’s Elderly Database Management System.
