President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday assured his administration’s commitment to ensuring the social protection and welfare of Filipino senior citizens, as he led the simultaneous nationwide inaugural distribution of cash gifts to the qualified beneficiaries of the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024 (Republic Act No. 11982) in Malacanang.

The landmark law mandates the grant of P10,000 cash incentives to seniors upon reaching 80, 85, 90, and 95 years, while maintaining the P100,000 cash gift for centenarians under the Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act No. 10868).  

ALAMIN: Mga senior na kalipikadong makatanggap ng P10,000 cash gift

At least 14 senior citizens received the inaugural cash gift in Malacanang, while a total 1,079 elderly beneficiaries received their cash incentives simultaneously in 15 other venues across various regions nationwide.

Among them is 101-year old Hiwaga Dominguez, who said that the financial incentive will be of great help especially for her age.

“This is most welcome, of course. Because it is my first time experiencing this, and for my age, it’s a great help,” she said. “There are so many things to spend for, you know everything is going up.”

The Palace says that in 2025, more than P2.9 billion will be distributed to over 275,000 senior citizens nationwide through the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and partner government agencies.

In his speech, the President highlighted the crucial role that seniors play in the society, as he noted the various programs of his administration that benefit senior citizens, including senior citizen discounts, free healthcare services, and a monthly P1,000 social pension for indigent senior citizens.

“Batid ko po na marami pang kailangang gawin hindi lamang ang pamahalaan kundi ang buong lipunan, upang mas gawing siguro, ligtas at maginhawa ang kalagayan ng ating mga nakatatanda,” the President said in his speech.

Marcos Jr noted that 73% of Filipino senior citizens continue to depend on the support of their children while 55% continue to pay their medical expenses out of pocket.

“Ilan din ang nakakaranas ng kakulangan sa pangmatagalang pangangalaga -- marami ang nag-iisa sa bahay. May iba na ang pakiramdam nila ay wala na silang halaga sa pamilya at lipunan -- wag nyo po isipin yun. Mas malungkot na marami sa kanila ang nakaranas ng abuso pa. Sa bagong Pilipinas, hangad natin na mabuhay ng may ginhawa at dignidad ang ating matatanda,” he said.

“Mga kababayan, hindi na dapat pinagdadaanan ng ating mga senior citizen ang ganitong mga problema sa yugtong ito sa kanilang buhay, they deserve nothing less than our love, our care, our protection, our respect, and our honor.”

The Philippine leader also called on the youth and  families to celebrate each moment  and to learn from the wisdom and experience of senior citizens.

“Sa mga pamilya ng ating mga nakakatanda, ipagdiwang ninyo ang bawat sandali na kapiling sila. Ipakita niyo ang malasakit dahil darating din ang panahon na kayo rin ang maghahanap ng respeto at kalinga mula sa inyong anak at apo. Para sa ating mga kabataan, kayo ang mag-aaruga sa magpapatuloy sa kaalamang itinuturo ng mga nauna sa atin. Gamitin ninyo ito upang makapagbuo ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan,” Marcos Jr said.

“Sa ating mga senior nawa'y magkaroon kayo ng marami pang panahon na kagalakan na kasama ang inyong mga minamahal sa buhay. Hiling ko rin na magkaroon kayo ng mas matatamis na kwento na ibabahagi sa susunod na henerasyon,” he continued.

“Sapagkat sa huli, ang mga senior ang nagdala ng liwanag sa ating mga tahanan. Ang mga senior ang nagbigay ng mga gabay sa taumbayan patungo sa tagumpay ng ating inaabot dito na Bagong Pilipinas.”

The United Nations projects that Filipinos aged 60 and above will exceed 10% of the population between 2025 and 2030.