The National Commission of Senior Citizens in the Davao Region (NCSC-Davao) provided significant financial aid to thousands of elderly residents last year, marking a major increase in support under a landmark law.
Record Payout for Davao Region's Elderly
In 2025, the agency awarded cash benefits to approximately 13,247 senior citizens across the region under the Expanded Centenarians Act (ECA). This represents a dramatic surge from the 4,234 seniors assisted in the previous year, 2024.
Filbert Bryan L. Sollesta, a program development officer for NCSC-Davao, revealed that the total cash distributed reached about ₱139 million. The beneficiaries comprised 4,606 men and 8,641 women, with the office noting that the proportion of female awardees grows in the older age brackets.
Breakdown of Beneficiaries by Province
The distribution of the cash gifts across the Davao Region was as follows:
- Davao City: 3,624 recipients
- Davao del Norte: 2,802 recipients
- Davao de Oro: 2,243 recipients
- Davao Oriental: 1,994 recipients
- Davao del Sur: 1,754 recipients
- Davao Occidental: 830 recipients
More Seniors Expected to Benefit in 2026
Sollesta announced that the number of grantees is projected to rise further in 2026. He attributed this expected increase to the more regular distribution of cash gifts and the growing awareness as more families attend the awarding ceremonies.
The office has set a target to provide financial assistance to roughly 13,844 seniors next year. To support this goal, a proposed allocation of around ₱149.51 million has been put forward.
The NCSC continues to accept applications for the program. This includes submissions from eligible seniors for the year 2024, which will be accepted until March 31, 2026, as well as applications for 2025.
"So we continue—please submit your applications to our partners, the OSCAs (Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs), and our local social welfare development offices, which are accepting applications from senior citizens under this program," Sollesta urged in the vernacular during the Kapehan sa Dabaw forum held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at SM City Davao.
Understanding the Expanded Centenarians Act
The Expanded Centenarians Act amends Republic Act No. 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016. It extends monetary benefits not just to those who reach 100 years old, but also to octogenarians and nonagenarians.
Under this law, qualified beneficiaries receive:
- ₱100,000 upon turning 100 years old.
- ₱10,000 upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95.
Sollesta emphasized that the cash gift is not automatic. Eligible seniors must proactively apply by submitting the required documents, which include:
- A completed application form.
- Proof of age or identity (such as a national ID or birth certificate).
- A recent photo as proof of life.
This initiative underscores the government's commitment to honoring and supporting Filipino senior citizens in their golden years, providing tangible financial assistance to improve their quality of life.
