DSWD to release PHP299.2-M for 2,992 centenarians

MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced it will release this month some PHP299.2 million in cash incentives for 2,992 centenarians identified last year, each of whom will receive PHP100,000.

“Our centenarians will finally receive their cash incentives this month. I know that they have been waiting for this since last year,” Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said in a news release issued Friday.

Taguiwalo said her department has already downloaded the funds to the field offices, which are now validating the needed documents for the fund’s release to the beneficiaries.

She also apologized for the delay, explaining that they had to follow the legal and budgetary processes that slowed the release of the cash incentives.

“We hope that they will finally be able to make good use of their well-deserved award,” she added.

Of the 2,992 centenarians in 2016, 201 are from the National Capital Region; 216 from the Ilocos region; 25 from the Cordillera region; 103 from Cagayan Valley; 342 from Central Luzon; 136 from Calabarzon; 115 from Mimaropa; 135 from the Bicol region; 360 from Western Visayas; 239 from Central Visayas; 55 from Eastern Visayas; 17 from Zamboanga peninsula; 176 from Northern Mindanao; 52 from the Davao region; 314 from Soccsksargen; 84 from CARAGA; 18 from Negros Island Region; and 230 from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). There are also 174 recorded centenarians living overseas.

As stated in Section 2 of Republic Act 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016”, all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 years old, 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 his or her longevity, and a centenarian gift of PHP100,000.

Aside from that, the centenarians will receive a plaque of recognition and cash incentive from their respective city or municipal governments in appropriate ceremonies.

The amount of the additional incentive shall be determined by the local government. (PNA)