REFLECTIONS: Senior citizens appreciate the cash gift but please make it easier for them to receive it

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 December) — My mother turned 80 years old on November 5, 2025, entitling her to a cash gift of P10,000, in accordance with Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarian Act of 2024. 

The law provides that “all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, upon the reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95, shall each receive a cash gift of P10,000 each” while those who reach the age of 100, shall receive a cash gift of P100,000 “and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity.

My mother was among the many senior citizens who trooped to the Peoples’ Park on December 16, 2025, second day of the three-day distribution schedule which began on December 15 and ended on December 17.

Entering the Peoples’ Park, we met a family who accompanied the senior member of their family, already on their way out, happily telling us that they have successfully claimed the cash gift.

Having reached the tent, I readily submitted a photocopy of my mother’s senior citizen’s identification card with three specimen signatures to one of two interns of the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO). We were then ushered to have a seat and told to wait for my mom’s name to be called.

As we walked towards the back section of the tent/covered area, I was moved by the sight of tired and sleepy faces of those who have been there way earlier, some of whom I learned came from as far as barangays Malabog, Catigan, and Tamugan from Paquibato, Toril, and Marilog districts, respectively. Hot porridge was served until supply lasted which was around mid-morning and was welcomed by those who traveled from distant areas.

We were seated for a little more than an hour when I noticed an old lady lying down on a makeshift bed of three monobloc chairs, with her head laid on her daughter’s lap.  I asked what happened and was told that she experienced back pain as she is not able to sit for a long period. They had been waiting for at least two hours. She turned 95 last year but was availing of her cash gift only last Tuesday. I immediately asked for her ID and approached the staff from the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs (OSCA), explained her circumstance and requested if release of her cash gift can be prioritized. I was caught off guard with the response: “naka wheelchair siya?”(is she in a wheelchair)? 

I hurriedly went back to where the old lady was, took a photo and showed it to the staff. Struggling to keep my composure as my hands were already shaking, I said: “Look at her.  Does she need to be in a wheelchair before you put her on your priority list?”

^{A 96-year-old woman who joined the long queue at the People’s Park in Davao City on Tuesday (16 December 2025) for her ₱10,000 cash gift from the Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs was forced to lie down on plastic chairs to rest after developing back pains while waiting for her turn for over two hours. Davao residents who turn 80, 85, 90 and 95 are entitled to the one-time cash gift. MindaNews photo by RUBY ROSE L. LORA}

I stood my ground, did not leave the table until the photocopy of her ID was found and placed on top of an inch-thick of papers.  

When her name was finally called, the paymaster went to where she was lying down, gave her the cash gift of P10,000, took her fingerprints, both left and right hands, as she is unable to affix her signature. 

Relief was what I felt knowing her long wait was finally over. But I wondered at the same time how the other senior citizens were coping, with the warm temperature not helping at all. They must be feeling hungry. And of course, my mother, too.  

As it was nearing lunch time and by then we had been waiting for three hours already, I had to request my partner to bring us food from a fast food chain. When it arrived, my mom and I moved to the back as we felt awkward having lunch, surrounded by others who did not bring food with them, as they probably thought claiming the cash gift won’t take that long.

It was close to 1 o’clock in the afternoon when I heard my mom’s name called.  She quickly grabbed her ID and went on to get hold of what she came for.  And as she was walking back towards where we were seated, with ten P1,000 bills clasped in her hand, I couldn’t help but notice that while she was beaming, she was catching her breath due to the afternoon heat, sweat running down her face and neck. Good thing she had with her the all-time favorite “Good Morning” towel to pat herself dry.

As we were approaching the gate, we came across two more senior citizens.  The first, in a wheelchair, who looked like she suffered from a stroke. I overheard the lady who was pushing the wheelchair say “kinahanglan namo siya dalhon kay kinahanglan nila makita nga buhi pa” (we had to bring her here as proof of life).

The second elderly was struggling to alight from the taxi, as she could hardly take a step and had to lean on her companion. I asked the guard if there was a wheelchair available.  He said yes but the wheelchair was still nowhere to be found as we were boarding the taxi for the ride home.

It was a first time for both me and my mother. Since earning her “second citizenship” in 2010 (she turned 60 that year), she never had the chance to claim any of the benefits extended to senior citizens. And if you’re going to ask me why, I’d say, that is another story to tell.

But I have a lot of “ifs” on how the cash gift distribution was set up, though I recognize I am not privy to the details of the preparations.  If only there were wheelchairs readily available at the venue entrance; if only medical support service was on standby; if only food was made available for the senior citizens and their aide; if only claimants were properly segregated to hasten the process; if only….

For sure, the senior citizens and their families, appreciate the cash gift. How I wish  though that concerned offices take closer notice of their special needs and design the distribution process appropriately.

Concretely, for those with ATMs, why not deposit the cash gift directly to their accounts? Or if the fear is someone else will encash the money, then please consider doing it in the barangays. House to house distribution is a viable option especially for residents who are 80 years old and older, don’t you think? 

(Ruby Rose L. Lora is the Project Lead of the Media Impact Philippines project implemented by the Mindanao Institute of Journalism which runs MindaNews, and the International Media Support).