Four Aeta centenarians in Capas, Tarlac will receive their long-delayed government cash gifts after a viral online video raised questions about why they had not been granted benefits mandated under the Expanded Centenarians Act.

The video, shared by a content creator in early February 2026, showed the four Indigenous group elders — 102 to 103 years old — who had yet to receive the P100,000 cash gift given by the government to Filipinos who reach the age of 100.

“Sila po yung mga 102 years old na, 103 years old o higit sandaang taon na kaso wala pa silang nakukuhang centennial,” the vlogger said in the video.

One of the centenarians was identified as a former soldier during the American period, according to the same video.

“Katulad ni tatay, naging sundalo pa siya ng mga Amerikano noong araw. Pinanganak siya noong November 15, 1923. 102 years old na siya pero wala pa siyang nakuhang centennial, yung 100,000,” the vlogger said.

Under Republic Act No. 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act, senior citizens are entitled to receive 100,000 pesos upon reaching 100 years old. The law also provides 10,000 pesos for seniors who reach the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95.

After the video circulated online, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) visited the four Aeta centenarians and provided each with 10,000 pesos in cash assistance. However, the agency clarified that it no longer implements the Centenarian Cash Gift Program, which was transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) in 2025.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the delay should not have happened.

“Hindi kami dapat umabot ng 101, 102, or 103 nang wala silang natatanggap. Dapat by 100, may natanggap na sila,” Gatchalian said.

“Sa amin kasi, ganoon kami noon. Without the need of a demand or an application, we give it to you. But sa NCSC, binago nila,” he added.

Based on the NCSC website, beneficiaries are required to claim their cash gift within one year of reaching the eligible age.

In a statement, the NCSC said it has ordered the immediate processing and release of the P100,000 cash gift for each of the four Aeta centenarians, even though no formal applications have yet been received.

The commission said the elders were not granted the benefit in 2024 due to the transition of the program from the DSWD to the NCSC in 2025.

The NCSC said the move aims to clear the backlog left by the program’s former implementing agency and ensure that remaining beneficiaries receive their entitlements in accordance with Republic Act No. 11982.