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The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) have joined together to ensure Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are included in the implementation of Republic Act No. 11982, also known as the Expanded Centenarians Act.
In a collaborative meeting on 10 February 2025 held at the NCIP main office, Dr. Mary Jean P. Loreche, NCSC Officer-in-Charge and Commission Member IV, met with Director Reynaldo A. Dingal of the NCIP’s Office on Socio-Economic Services and Special Concerns (OSESSC) to discuss strategies for identifying and supporting Indigenous senior citizens eligible for the cash gift.
As discussed by Dr. Loreche, the Expanded Centenarians Act provides financial incentives to senior citizens who reach the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95. She further emphasized the importance of collaboration with NCIP to certify Indigenous senior citizens who may otherwise be overlooked due to documentation challenges. She also introduced the Senior Citizens Community Care Center (SC3C) as part of NCSC’s broader initiative to support the welfare of the elderly. This innovative program is designed to address the diverse needs and promote the holistic health of senior citizens.
Director Dingal welcomed the partnership, acknowledging NCIP’s responsibility in ensuring that Indigenous communities benefit from national programs. He shared details of existing NCIP programs designed to uplift Indigenous Peoples and affirmed the agency’s commitment to certifying eligible Indigenous senior citizens.
As part of this collaboration, the NCSC and NCIP have agreed to formalize their partnership by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 17 February 2025. This MoU establishes a framework for verifying senior IPs reaching the milestone ages, particularly those without official records with the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This inter-agency effort underscores the government’s commitment to inclusivity, considering that no elderly Indigenous Filipino is left behind in receiving essential incentives, benefits, and opportunities for social and economic development.
A follow-up meeting is set to take place soon to establish a dedicated working group for ongoing coordination and implementation.