Poe urges gov’t: Make distribution of centenarian benefits ‘less cumbersome’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Sunday said that the government should consider reviewing its processes to ease the distribution of benefits for centenarians.

“Our centenarian lolos and lolas (grandparents) passing away without receiving their cash gift is beyond bearing,” Poe noted in a statement.

“In distributing the benefits under the Centenarians Act, the government should consider reviewing its processes to make them less cumbersome and more accommodating to the elderly, who are naturally constrained by age and resources,” she added.

Under Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016, Filipinos who reach 100 years old, residing in the Philippines or overseas, shall be honored with a letter of felicitation from the president and a centenarian gift amounting to P100,000.

According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office website, centenarians in the country must submit the following to their local social welfare and development: a birth certificate from the local civil registrar or the Philippine Statistics Authority; passport; government-issued identification cards; baptismal certificate; and any available document showing showing the date of birth such as marriage contract or certificate or birth certificate of child or children.

For centenarians abroad, they have to submit the following to any post of the Department of Foreign Affairs: accomplished application form; authenticated birth certificate; and unexpired Philippine passport.

Poe likewise said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development must “constantly” coordinate with local government units to keep the list of persons nearing the age of 100 updated to ensure the availability of funds.

Poe concluded: “The law pays homage to the life and longevity of our beloved centenarians amid the deaths besetting our country due to the pandemic. We must honor them for striving to remain as pillars of their families and source of wisdom of our communities.”

RELATED STORIES:

Oldest living Filipino feted on 124th birthday

30 centenarians in Negros Occidental to get P100k in assistance

Pasig centenarian says loving family key to long life

je