‘Milestone age’ Butuan City residents thankful for P10K cash gift
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — “This is my first time receiving a cash gift as a milestone aged senior citizen,” said Marina Laag of Barangay Mahogany. “I am thankful to the government for this cash gift that I will be using to purchase additional supplies and for payment of bills.”
She shared that she was not able to apply for the milestone age when she was 80 years old due to lack of documentary requirements. “Now that I am 85 and with the help of my barangay council and the City Social Welfare and Development Department-Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (CSWDD-OSCA), I am one of the recipients of the program.”
Recipient Cecillo L. Catingob, 85 years old, from Barangay Ampayon, also thanked the commission and the city government. “I did not expect that I would be one of the recipients of the cash gift.” He also hoped that he will still receive another cash gift when he reaches the age of 90.
Christine P. Sabandal, public service officer II of CSWDD, the 454 recipients are those who have reached the milestone age for the year 2024 and 2025. NCSC Caraga has released more than P4.4 million for the distribution.
Sabandal also called the senior citizens who have reached the octogenarians and nonagenarians ages who have not processed their applications to submit their papers to their office for initial validation. Final validation will be conducted by NCSC.
“Six months prior to the date that they will turn to the milestone age, elderly may start to process their applications. Meanwhile, elderly people who were not able to process months prior to their birthday reached the milestone age may process their applications within the year,” said Sabandal.
Documentary requirements for the application include filled-out and notarized application form, birth certificate or any government issued ID, senior citizen ID, recent 2×2 picture, and full body picture printed in a A4 size paper.
According to NSCS Caraga, another round of distribution will also be conducted for the fourth quarter of 2025 for elderlies who just had their birthdays.
This is in pursuant to the Expanded Centenarian Act of 2024 that allows senior citizens who reach the ‘milestone ages’ of 80, 85, 90, and 95 to receive P10,000, while the senior citizen aged 100 years old will receive P100,000 and a congratulatory letter from the President. (MFC, PIA Caraga)