Iloilo city: The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has disbursed PHP116.37 million in cash gifts to 14,555 senior citizens, including octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians, under Republic Act 11982, also known as the Expanded Centenarians Act, as of August 26. The commission plans to complete this payout, which also includes beneficiaries from Negros Occidental, by Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ann Rapunzel Ganzon, NCSC director for Western Visayas, stated in an interview that this year's disbursement includes payments for 2024 and 2025, serving as a gift for individuals who have reached milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years old. The data reveals that the largest group of grantees last year included 12,589 individuals, with 6,116 aged 80, 4,080 aged 85, 1,574 aged 90, 549 aged 95, and 90 centenarians.

In 2024, the commission expects to serve 1,891 grantees, comprising 1,002 aged 80, 610 aged 85, 226 aged 90, 43 aged 95, and 10 centenarians. This year, 75 centenarians have already received their PHP100,000 cash gift. Those who reached other milestone ages from January to June will receive their cash gifts in October.

Ganzon highlighted that Western Visayas is among the regions with the highest number of centenarians. She expressed pride in meeting these individuals and documenting their stories, which often include themes of strong faith, prayer, good deeds, and dietary habits focusing on vegetables and fish.

Republic Act 11982 ensures a PHP100,000 cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines for centenarians, while those reaching other milestone ages receive PHP10,000. Last year, the office served 29,791 grantees, distributing over PHP315 million in cash gifts to recipients.