DSWD reiterates requirements in claiming centenarians’ cash gift

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

FILE: CENTENARIAN GIFT. A Department of Social Welfare and Development staff turns over a PHP100,000 cash gift to a centenarian at the municipal hall of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte on March 19, 2024. The DSWD said Thursday (Sept. 5) the relatives of a centenarian can claim the cash gift should the beneficiary die before receiving it. (Photo: Municipal Government of Pagudpud-LGU/Facebook)

MANILA – An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated on Thursday the requirements for centenarians or their families before they get the PHP100,000 cash gift as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

“The family of the centenarian processing for the centenarians’ cash gift must present a birth certificate or a Philippine passport. If these are not available, or the birth certificate of the centenarian is not available because of the war, they can submit affidavits executed by at least two disinterested persons. A marriage certificate is also accepted, as well as the birth certificates of the centenarian’s children,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao told reporters at the Thursday media forum at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

Dumlao said baptismal or confirmation certificates, 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, she 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 (can claim the centenarians’ gift in case the beneficiary died a few months after turning 100 years old and have not yet received it),” she said.

She said the implementation of the Centenarians Act, which is now being done 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 (It is currently under the funds of the DSWD, but starting next year, it will be turned over to the NCSC),” she 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 PHP100,000.

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.

If the two documents are not available, any one of the primary identification cards issued by OSCA, the Government Service Insurance System, and Social Security System; driver’s license; Professional Regulations Commission license; and Commission on Elections Voter’s ID are also accepted.

The centenarians or their family members can also submit any secondary documents such as marriage certificate, and birth certificate of a child borne by the centenarian, among others.