The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Wednesday distributed P100,000 cash gifts to four Aeta centenarians in Capas under the Expanded Centenarians Act (ECA), alongside felicitation letters from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognizing their milestone age and contribution to the nation.

NCSC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez said the agency acted swiftly on the elders’ applications upon receiving the required documents from the local government unit on February 9. She credited close coordination between local and national offices for the prompt release of benefits to the indigenous beneficiaries.

Gutierrez emphasized that the NCSC has streamlined payouts by allowing grantees to choose between cash and bank transfer, aiming to speed up delivery and reduce inconvenience for senior citizens, especially those in remote communities. “What they deserve should be given without delay when agencies work together,” she said.

Capas Mayor Roseller Rodriguez thanked the NCSC for the quick coordination, while Representatives Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay and Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes personally conveyed their greetings and cited ongoing legislative efforts to further support senior citizens’ welfare.

The NCSC also addressed earlier social media claims that the Aeta elders were denied benefits for being “overaged,” clarifying that the applications and endorsements reached the commission only this week. The agency reiterated its commitment to ensure that indigenous senior citizens are not left behind as it continues implementing the ECA nationwide.