Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) to release the PhP10,000 cash gifts owed to qualified elderly Filipinos without further delay. The directive comes after growing frustration over benefits that many seniors say took far too long to reach them.
According to a news release from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared the President’s instruction during a briefing in Malacañang on August 26, 2026. She stressed that benefits meant for the elderly must reach them quickly and through a faster process.
What the President Ordered
Marcos told the NCSC to resolve the backlog right away. The concerns reached him directly, and he wanted them addressed with urgency. Castro assured Filipino seniors that the government will follow through and settle the matter promptly.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has already stepped in. A clarificatory meeting is set for August 28, 2026, bringing together:
- ARTA
- The NCSC
- Concerned local government units
- The senior citizens who filed complaints
Who Qualifies Under the Expanded Centenarians Act
The cash gifts fall under the Expanded Centenarians Act (Republic Act 11982), signed into law in 2024. The benefits apply to all Filipinos, whether they live in the Philippines or abroad — a detail that matters greatly to our kababayan overseas and their aging parents back home.
Here’s how the cash gifts are structured:
- PhP10,000 upon reaching ages 80, 85, 90, and 95
- PhP100,000 upon reaching age 100, along with a letter of felicitation from the President
Why the Push for Faster Release
The order followed a painful reminder of what delays can cost. On August 24, 2026, eight senior citizens from Barangay Marilag in Quezon City filed anti-red tape complaints against the NCSC. Aged 80 to 85, they spoke out about the long wait for the gifts they had rightfully earned.
Their message was heartbreaking. They said they did not want to share the fate of friends who passed away before ever receiving their cash gifts.
Castro was firm that help should not be held back. The government, she said, is committed to delivering support the way it should — quickly and without unnecessary hurdles.
If you have elderly loved ones who qualify, it may be worth checking in with your local NCSC office or LGU to confirm their claims are on track.