MANILA, Philippines — The National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) has ordered the immediate processing of the P100,000 centenarian cash gift for four Aeta elders who were part of a backlog inherited during the program’s transition between government agencies.
According to a report on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the four beneficiaries from Capas, Tarlac, did not receive their benefits in 2024. The delay occurred when the centenarian program was transferred from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the NCSC in 2025.
Clearing the Backlog
- Agency Coordination: NCSC Chairperson Merceditas Gutierrez stated that the commission has been working closely with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the local government of Capas to complete the necessary documentation for the immediate release of the funds.
- Funding Milestones: Despite inheriting funding limitations from 2024, the NCSC reported releasing over P2.8 billion in cash gifts in 2025, which included payments for delayed beneficiaries from the previous year.
- Efficiency: The commission noted a 96 percent budget utilization rate for the program in 2025.
New Distribution System To prevent future delays and ensure a more secure process, the NCSC is launching a pilot bank transfer system in the first quarter of 2026.
- Direct Deposits: Beneficiaries who opt for this method will receive their cash gifts directly through their ATM accounts.
- Transparency: Chairperson Gutierrez emphasized that this system is intended to make the distribution faster, more transparent, and more convenient for senior citizens, ensuring the benefit reaches the intended recipient directly.
Legal Framework The distribution is mandated under Republic Act No. 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act, which recognizes and rewards Filipinos who reach the age of 100. The NCSC reiterated its commitment to identifying and verifying all qualified beneficiaries, particularly those in indigenous and remote communities, to ensure no one is left behind by administrative transitions.