More than 12,000 centenarians nationwide have been recognized and provided with incentives by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said on Tuesday (October 31).

Asst. Sec. Lopez said that from 2017 up to September this year, the DSWD was able to honor some 12,186 Filipinos, who reached 100 years of age and above, through its implementation of the Centenarian Program, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

“This achievement serves as a testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to honoring its elderly citizens,” Asst. Sec. Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, pointed out.

Under the program, centenarians whether residing in the country or abroad are provided with Php 100,000 cash incentives and a letter of felicitation signed by the President of the Philippines congratulating them for their longevity.

Aside from the cash gift, the DSWD provides a posthumous plaque of recognition for a deceased centenarian, which may be received by their nearest surviving relative.

“The Centenarian Program represents our respect for our elderly and acknowledges the invaluable contributions they have made to society over the decades,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

Asst. Sec. Lopez reiterated that to avail of the benefits under the law, relatives of the centenarians must submit primary

documents such as 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 localities.

If the two documents are not available, any one of the primary Identification Cards issued by 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, is also accepted.

“In cases that the said identification documents are not available, the centenarian or their family members can submit any secondary documents such as marriage certificate, birth certificate of a child borne by the centenarian, among others,” Asst. Sec. Lopez explained.

The DSWD vowed to closely coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) and the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) to improve the planning and budgeting for more effective implementation of the law, in pursuit of honoring the contributions of the centenarians in nation-building. #