P3 billion allocated for senior citizens’ cash gifts in 2025

The national government has allocated an initial budget of PHP 3 billion for the implementation of the Expanded Centenarians Law in 2025, which will provide a PHP 10,000 cash gift to elderly Filipinos upon reaching the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old.

This is stipulated in Republic Act No. 11982, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last February.

Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, a member of the House committee on appropriations, confirmed the budget allocation and outlined the distribution of the funds.

“Based on the 2025 National Expenditure Program, the government intends to spend up to PHP 3 billion for the initial implementation of the Expanded Centenarians Law,” Rillo said in a statement.

Of this amount, approximately PHP 173 million will be earmarked for the PHP 100,000 cash gift to be given to an estimated 1,730 new centenarians in 2025.

The remaining funds will be used to provide the PHP 10,000 grant to those turning 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old.

Rep. Rillo encouraged families to register their elderly members with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), which is responsible for managing the Elderly Data Management System and will facilitate the distribution of the cash gifts.

“We would encourage all families to register their elderly members online with the NCSC,” Rillo advised.

The NCSC is currently collaborating with local government units, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to streamline the online registration process.

The Expanded Centenarians Law extends the benefits originally provided under the Centenarian Law, which only covered Filipinos who turned 100 years old.

Under the original law, centenarians received PHP 100,000 along with a congratulatory letter from the President.

The new law now allows Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, to receive a PHP 10,000 cash gift every five years starting at the age of 80.

The average life expectancy in the Philippines is approximately 72 years, according to the United Nations, making this law a significant milestone in providing support for the elderly population.

Families are encouraged to take advantage of this new benefit by ensuring their elderly members are properly registered with the NCSC to receive their entitled cash gifts.