A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated on Thursday (September 5) the requirements for centenarians or their families before they receive the Php100,000 cash gift as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.
“Unang-una, kung yung pamilya ng centenarian natin ay nagpo-proseso para sa centenarians gift, ang mga requirement po ay birth certificate o Philippine passport. Kung halimbawa na hindi ‘yan available, o kung hindi na-produce ang kanyang birth certificate dahil panahon ng giyera, maaaring magsumite ng affidavit executed by at least two disinterested persons. Maaari rin ang marriage certificate kung available or birth certificate ng mga anak ng centenarian,” DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, told reporters at the Thursday Media Forum held weekly at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
The DSWD spokesperson said baptismal or confirmation certificate, as well as school or employment records showing the date of birth of the centenarian may also be submitted in the absence of the primary documentary requirements.
In the case of a deceased centenarian, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD will still release the cash gift to the estate or nearest surviving relative.
“The next of kin ay siyang maaaring tumanggap ng centenarians gift in case na nag-100 years old na siya ay hindi pa niya nakuha and then after a few months ay sumakabilang buhay,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the Centenarians Act, which is currently being implemented by the DSWD, will be transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), along with the
implementation of the Expanded Centenarians Act – covering senior citizens under the age milestones of 80,85,90 and 95.
“Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa pondo po iyan ng DSWD but starting next year, yan po ay itu-turn over na natin sa NCSC,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
RA 10868 provides that all Filipinos who have reached 100 years old and above, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, shall be honored with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for their longevity and a Centenarian gift in the amount of P100,000.
Complete requirements
To avail of the benefits under the law, relatives of the centenarians must submit primary documents—the birth certificate and Philippine passport—to the City or Municipal Social Welfare Office and/or to the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in their respective local government units (LGUs).
If the two documents are not available, any one of the primary Identification Cards issued by Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and Social Security System (SSS); driver’s license; Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) license; and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID are also accepted.
The centenarians or their family members can also submit any secondary documents such as marriage certificate, birth certificate of a child borne by the centenarian, among others.
