TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) – A total of 117 octogenarians and nonagenarians in Kalinga were granted P10,000 cash gift from the government in the first payout conducted by the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) on April 21, 2025, at the Kalinga Sports Center.
Two centenarians from Tinglayan and Tanudan also received P100,000 each and a Letter of Felicitation from the President as incentive for reaching 100 years old.
These benefits are given to senior citizens under the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024 covering centenarians and seniors who reach the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95.
The payout was led by NCSC Cluster 1 Commissioner Reymar R. Mansilungan, Project Development Officer Krista Bassig with the assistance of the Kalinga Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and other stakeholders.
“Dakkel nga tulong kadakami, thank you, thank you very, very much. Usaren mi nga pang-maintenance mi kada gatas mi,” said 85-year-old Gundelina Gramaje from Tabuk City.
(This is a big help to us. Thank you, thank you very, very much. We will use it to buy our maintenance medicine and milk.)
“Pagyamanak ta ada ti kastuy, tatta ak lang nga naka-kwa ti kastuy nga ada gayam ti maawat ket ket thank you,” 80-year-old Tabukeño senior Juanito Santos expressed.
(I am grateful that there is a program like this. It’s my first time to receive such a benefit so, thank you.)
Bassig explained that these beneficiaries have reached their milestone ages during the period January to March this year.
“Etong mga na-payoutan ngayon eto ‘yung mga nag-birthday nung January to March 2025. ‘Yung mga susunod pang magbe-birthday nang April hanggang June, quarterly na kami magpe-payout sa kanila, so next na payout namin is July,” Bassig said.
Bassig said eligible seniors may claim their cash gift within one year after reaching the said milestone ages.
Seniors eligible for the Expanded Centenarian benefits are urged to coordinate with their respective City or Municipal Social Welfare Development Office to file their application.
Requirements include application form from the NCSC, 2×2 ID picture and full body picture of the beneficiary printed in A4-size bond papers or photo paper, and primary identification such as National ID or Philippine Statistics Authority original or certified true copy of live birth certificate.
“Kung wala isa duon, photocopy ng senior citizen ID, PhilHealth, driver’s license, SSS, GSIS, marriage certificate, baptismal certificate pero dapat nangyari ang baptism nuong five years old siya, or NCIP certificate,” Bassig said. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
