LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) — Eight senior citizens in the town received P10,000 each from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)-9 under the Expanded Centenarians Act (RA 11982), offering timely financial assistance for their personal needs.
This marks the initial rollout of the program in Zamboanga del Sur province, ensuring that Filipinos ages 80, 85, 90, and 95 receive P10,000 in cash gift. This is an expansion from the previous policy, which provided P100,000 exclusively to centenarians.
The first batch of beneficiaries was determined through an application and validation process, prioritizing those who celebrated their milestone age between January 1 and February 15 of this year.
Jalairi Jainal, 80 years old, shared that he plans to use part of the money to sustain his medical needs.
Caridad Empalmado, another beneficiary, also expressed her gratitude for receiving the cash gift. She shared that she will use part of her cash gift for the surveying of her lot to facilitate the transfer of the land title to her name.
“Ang Ginoo gyud maoy pasalamatan nato kay mao may tag-iya sa atong kinabuhi. Akong pasalamatan ang Ginoo nga nakaabot ko aning pangedarona. Mangayo pako ug lugar sa akong kinabuhi nga lugwayan pa niya ug taas taas,” she added.
(We should thank God because He is the owner of our lives. I thank the Lord that I have reached this age. I pray that He will continue to grant me a longer life.)
NCSC-9 has also scheduled cash gift distributions to the municipalities of Guipos and Tabina. The agency continues to strengthen programs that promote the welfare and well-being of senior citizens, recognizing their contributions to society. (EDT/HTB/PIA9 Zamboanga del Sur)
