Politics · Philippines Bureau
Marcos directs swift payout of senior citizens' cash assistance
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the National Commission of Senior Citizens to immediately distribute P10,000 cash gifts to eligible senior citizens under the Expanded Centenarians Act. The directive comes after complaints were lodged regarding delayed payments.
LSN Philippines ·
President Marcos has instructed the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) to expedite the release of P10,000 cash assistance to qualified senior citizens enrolled under the Expanded Centenarians Act, according to Palace press officer Claire Castro on Wednesday.
The presidential order follows complaints filed by eight senior citizens aged 80 to 85 with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), signaling potential delays in the distribution process. The complaints highlighted bureaucratic challenges in delivering the promised financial support to eligible recipients.
The Expanded Centenarians Act provides cash grants to senior citizens meeting specific age and eligibility criteria. The program aims to provide financial assistance to aging Filipinos, though implementation has faced administrative hurdles that prompted the recent intervention from the Office of the President.
The NCSC has been directed to streamline its payment procedures to ensure beneficiaries receive their allocations without further delays. Officials have not yet announced a specific timeline for completing the distribution of outstanding payments to affected senior citizens.