Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday reiterated the requirements that centenarians or their families must meet to receive the PHP100,000 cash gift mandated under Republic Act (RA) 10868, also known as the Centenarians Act of 2016.
According to Philippines News Agency, families must present either a birth certificate or a Philippine passport of the centenarian to claim the benefit. In cases where these documents are unavailable, such as those lost during the war, Dumlao explained that affidavits from at least two disinterested persons or a marriage certificate, as well as the birth certificates of the centenarian’s children, may be submitted.
Dumlao added that other documents, including baptismal or confirmation certificates and school or employment records that show the centenarian’s date of birth, can also be used. Even if a centenarian passes away after turning 100 but before receiving the cash gift, their nearest surviving relative can claim the amount.
Dumlao noted that the implementation of the Centenarians Act, currently handled by DSWD, will be transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) starting next year, including the upcoming Expanded Centenarians Act, which will extend benefits to those reaching age milestones of 80, 85, 90, and 95.
Under RA 10868, all Filipinos who reach 100 years of age, regardless of whether they reside in the Philippines or abroad, are entitled to a Letter of Felicitation from the President and a PHP100,000 cash gift. Families of centenarians are required to submit primary identification documents to their City or Municipal Social Welfare Office or the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to avail of the benefits.