PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) – The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)-9 is encouraging senior citizens across the Zamboanga Peninsula region to apply for the benefits provided under Republic Act 11982, also known as the Expanded Centenarians Act.
Acting Project Development Officer V, Jorry E. Padayogdog, made this call during the recent episode of “Kapihan sa PIA ug DXPR” radio program.
“Sa atong mga lolo ug lola nga naminaw karon, duol mo sa OSCA (Office of Senior Citizens Affairs), magkuha namo og application form ug magfile namo sa RA 11982 nga benefits,” he said.
(To our grandfathers and grandmothers who are listening right now, please visit the OSCA, get an application form, and apply for the benefits under RA 11982.)
Padayogdog emphasized the importance of filing early due to limited slots nationwide. He revealed that while the program caters to octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians, only 275,000 slots have been approved nationwide. However, the current consolidated master list already exceeds 300,000 applicants.
He noted that the agency follows the first-to-file rule. He encouraged senior citizens to coordinate with their local government units, through the OSCA or the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO).
Senior citizens are advised to apply four to six months before reaching a milestone age to ensure timely processing.
NCSC-9 has initiated onsite and house-to-house validation to identify potential beneficiaries in the region. In partnership with LGUs and OSCA, the agency recently validated 65 applicants in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, consisting of 53 octogenarians, 10 nonagenarians, and 2 centenarians.
Of the 65 applications, only two were returned due to incomplete documents. This highlights the importance of ensuring all requirements are submitted.
Padayogdog urged LGUs, OSCA heads, local social welfare offices, and mayors to support the program by submitting their lists of potential beneficiaries.
“Hopefully, musuporta sila sa National Commission of Senior Citizen by submitting their list of potential beneficiaries for this program and we are encouraging them na magsubmit na sa endorsement form sa tanang potential beneficiary,” he said.
(Hopefully, they will support the National Commission of Senior Citizens by submitting their list of potential beneficiaries for this program. We are also encouraging them to submit the endorsement forms for all potential beneficiaries.)
The deadline for submission of endorsement forms is set on January 31, 2025, to allow timely scheduling of validations.
To qualify for the benefits under RA 11982, eligible octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians must submit a completed application form along with primary identification, such as a Certificate of Live Birth or a Philippine Identification System ID card (PhilID).
The Expanded Centenarians Act, which took effect on March 17, 2024, grants all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, upon reaching a milestone age (80, 85, 90, 95) shall each receive a cash gift of P10,000. In addition, upon reaching the age of 100, each will receive a Letter of Felicitation signed by the President and a cash gift of P100,000.
It aims to provide financial assistance and recognition to senior citizens, celebrating their contributions to society while ensuring their well-being. Senior citizens and their families are encouraged to act promptly to benefit from this initiative. (EDT/HTB/PIA9 Zamboanga del Sur)
