Tarlac: The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Wednesday handed over a PHP100,000 cash gift each to four Aeta centenarians in Capas, Tarlac in line with the Expanded Centenarians Act (ECA). The cash grants were awarded during a ceremony at the Capas Events Center. Aside from the monetary benefit, the NCSC also handed over felicitation letters from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in recognition of the centenarians' milestone.
According to Philippines News Agency, NCSC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez stated that the commission acted promptly on the applications of the Aeta beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of the ECA. She expressed gratitude to all partners who helped facilitate the release of the grants to the indigenous senior citizens. Gutierrez emphasized the importance of collaboration between local and national government in delivering benefits to Filipino senior citizens.
The NCSC has assured that the distribution of benefits will be faster, offering grantees the option to receive their ECA grants either in cash or through bank transfer. Gutierrez highlighted that the commission aims to ensure that senior citizens receive the gifts they deserve upon reaching their milestone years.
Capas Mayor Roseller Rodriguez expressed gratitude for the coordination between the NCSC and the local government, which enabled the immediate release of the benefits. Lawmakers Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay and Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes also conveyed their greetings to the Aeta centenarians and shared updates on pending legislative measures to support senior citizens' welfare.
The NCSC issued a clarification following a video on social media claiming that the four indigenous beneficiaries did not receive their centenarian cash gift due to being 'overaged.' The commission clarified that it received the beneficiaries' applications and the endorsement letter from the local government unit on February 9, one year after the ECA administration was transferred to the NCSC. The commission reaffirmed that no indigenous senior citizen will be forgotten in its list.
