Senior citizens who have reached milestone birthdays of 80, 85, 90 and 95 in 2025 will start receiving their PHP10,000 cash gift from government starting around March.

This was gathered after government agencies led by the National Commission of Senior Citizens signed Wednesday (November 27) a joint memorandum circular that will fully operationalize their respective responsibilities in the processing and distribution of the benefits granted under Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Senior Centenarian Act.

The NCSC has been assigned to implement RA 11982 starting January 2025.

NCSC officer-in-charge Commissioner Mary Jean Loreche led the official signing of Joint Memorial Circular No. 1, Series of 2024 in simple ceremonies in Quezon City.

Signatories included Asst. Secretary Venecio Legaspi of the Department of Migrant Workers; Director Angela Gilberto Alfafara of Department of Foreign Affairs; Undersecretary Maria Arlene Borja of Commission on Filipinos Overseas; NCSC Commissioner Ricardo Rainier Cruz and Director Gemma Macatangay of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on February 26, RA 11982 grants a PHP10,000 gift to octogenarians and nonagenarians who have reached their milestone birthdays.

The law amends the Centenarian Act that grants elderly citizens who have reached 100 years old a cash gift of PHP100,000.

Those who reached their century age will receive PHP100,000 and a letter of felicitation from the President.

Loreche said senior citizens covered by RA 11982 are those who celebrated their birthday starting on the day the law took effect on March 17, 2024.

She clarified that only those celebrating their milestone birthdays starting January 1, 2025 should expect their cash gift at least 66 days after filing their application for the benefit.

The 66 days covers the duration of the processing of the application for benefits starting on the day it was filed with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs having jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence.

Filipino citizens living abroad are directed to file their applications and other documentary requirements in the Philippine embassy, offices of consul general, Commission on Filipinos Overseas or the Department of Migrant Workers near them.

Loreche explained that 2024 beneficiaries are also enjoined to file their application for benefits but may not expect immediate release of their cash gift.

According to the NCSC executive the 2024 birthday celebrators will be waitlisted until the Department of Budget and Management releases appropriations for the purpose.

Commissioner Cruz said the signing of the JMC will “kickstart the process in the distribution” of the news state-funded benefit for elderly citizens.