The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated the National Commission of Senior Citizens’ (NCSC) warning against false claims about ATM card distribution and illegal deductions from cash gifts for senior citizens.
The NCSC, a supervised agency of the DSWD, promotes the rights and welfare of elderly Filipinos and implements the centenarian cash gift and other benefits.
Amid misinformation on the centenarian cash gift, the NCSC issued advisories to protect seniors from individuals seeking to exploit them.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, echoed the advisory and urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and financial exploitation.
“The DSWD stands in solidarity with the NCSC’s reminder. It is very important that information about the benefits of our senior citizens is clear. Many of them depend on these programs for their needs, so we should not allow them to be fooled or deceived by false news or baseless charges,” Dumlao said.
The NCSC clarified that it has not issued ATM or bank cards for claiming assistance and that any distribution through bank transfer is optional under the Expanded Centenarians Act.
It also stressed that the P10,000 cash gift must be received in full without deductions, warning that any collection or payment request in exchange for the benefit is illegal and punishable by law.
