TARLAC CITY (PIA) — Four Aeta centenarians from Barangay Maruglu, Capas, Tarlac received a total of P400,000 in cash gifts from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), affirming the government’s recognition off Filipinos who reach 100 years old.
Each centenarian received P100,000 under Republic Act No. 10868, as amended by Republic Act No. 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act, which grants cash gifts to centenarians nationwide.
NCSC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez underscored that the incentive is a form of recognition and gratitude from the government and should not be viewed as financial assistance.
“Ito ay regalo ng pamahalaan sa kanila dahil umabot sila sa ganitong edad (It is a gift from the government to them for reaching this age),” she said.
Along with the cash gift, each honoree also received a letter of felicitation from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., personally acknowledging their lifetime contributions.
Gutierrez instructed that the incentive be released on the grantee’s birthday to ensure that centenarians personally receive and enjoy the recognition.
She added that with strengthened coordination between the NCSC and the local government unit (LGU) through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), the release of cash gifts for centenarians is expected to be faster and more efficient.
The NCSC advised centenarians or their representatives to visit their OSCA and submit the necessary documents including the application form, birth certificate, and full body photo to process the cash gift. (Ara Jamica R. Reparejo)
PHOTO CAPTION:
102-year-old Rodreges Tarroza of the Mag-antsi tribe is one of four Aeta centenarians honored with a cash gift and letter of felicitation during the cash gift distribution organized by the National Commission of Senior Citizens in Barangay Maruglu, Capas, Tarlac. (Mark Arby E. Grande/PIA3 Intern)
