President Marcos assured Filipino senior citizens that the government is doing its best to promote their welfare as he cited their invaluable contribution to society.

Marcos said this as he led the inaugural nationwide simultaneous distribution of cash gifts to the qualified beneficiaries of the Republic Act (RA) No. 11982) or the Expanded Centenarians Act in Malacañan on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

In his speech, the President recognized that there were more things to be done to ensure that the Filipino elderly were not neglected in the fast-paced world.

"Batid ko pong marami pang kailangang gawin upang mas gawing siguro, ligtas, and maginhawa ang kalagayan ng ating mga nakakatanda (I know that we should do more to make sure that our elderly are secured, safe, and comfortable)," he said.

"Kaya gumagawa tayo ng mga hakbangin upang mas mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mga senior citizen (That is why we are implementing measured to improve the condition of our senior citizens)," he added.

According to Marcos, the country's elderly should not experience any more hardship after everything they have gone through.

"Hindi na dapat pinagdadaanan ng ating mga senior citizen ang ganitong mga problema sa yugtong ito ng kanilang buhay (Our senior citizens should not experience any more problems at this point in their lives)," he said.

"They deserve nothing less than our love, care, protection, respect, and honor," he added, noting that he wished for the elderly to create more sweet memories with their loved ones.

Marcos urged Filipinos to care for the elderly as they will need the same assistance when the time comes.

"Ipagdiwang ninyo ang bawat sandali na kapiling sila. Ipakita ninyo ang malasakit dahil darating ang panahon na kayo ang maghahanap ng kalinga at respeto mula sa inyong mga anak o apo (Celebrate each moment that you are with them. Care for them because the time will come that you will ask for care and respect from your children or grandchildren)," he said.

Over P12 million were distributed to 1,079 beneficiaries nationwide on Wednesday, including 14 who participated in the Malacañan event (three 80-year-olds, three 85-year-olds, five 90-year-olds, and three 100-year-olds).

The law, signed by President Marcos on Feb. 26, 2024, grants Filipinos, upon reaching the age of 80, a cash gift of P10,000 and every five years after that. Those reaching the age of 100 shall continue to receive an incentive of P100,000 from the government.

With the United Nations (UN) projecting that the population of Filipinos aged 60 and above will exceed 10 percent from 2025 to 2030, RA 11982 ensures earlier recognition and financial support.

The official 2020 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) population census shows 9,242,121 older persons nationwide. Of this figure, over 950,000 are octogenarians and nonagenarians.