The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) recorded about 200,000 eligible seniors for the Annual Financial Assistance (AFA) to be released this year.
OSCA Head Lorenzo Borja said during the I-Speak Media forum that as of May 15, about 205,000 senior citizens are registered in their database.
“Mao ni ang basis sa atong payroll sa atong 2026 budget sa atong subsidy, so possible since ang deadline nato is May 31 pwede pa mutaas gamay (This will be the basis of our payroll for the 2026 budget for our subsidy, it is possible that since our deadline is May 31, the number may still increase),” Borja said, adding that those who celebrate their 60th birthday after May 31 will not be included on the 2026 AFA list.
He said that this year is the start of the implementation of the Php 2,000 annual subsidy for seniors, up 500 from the Php 1,500 AFA distributed in 2025.
Borja said that for ease of registration process, the OSCA partnered with senior citizen chapter presidents to help process registration documents and deliver them to the OSCA office.
He assured that they only input into the database verified data of seniors to prevent duplicity and false information.
“Tungod sa atong system mas ma-klaro kung asa ang address nimo, asa ka nagpuyo, botante ba ka sa Davao, sa tulo ka ID kinsa ang tinuod na ikaw (Because of our system, it becomes clearer where your address is, where you reside, whether you are a voter in Davao, and, among the three IDs presented, which one truly belongs to you)” he said.
They also already flagged those who have multiple senior citizen IDs, barring them from getting subsidy unless they correct, and identify the true background to be declared in their official ID.
The system also addresses the issue of non-inclusion of some seniors on the previous CSWDO list because of lack of affiliation with senior organizations and other issues.
Borja said that those who have issues with clerical errors
are also encouraged to obtain certification from the OSCA to claim their subsidy.
Borja added that with the constant reminders in barangays and senior citizen chapters about the registration processes, they are now able to register almost 95 percent of the senior citizens in Davao City.
“Almost 95 percent [ang naregister]. Ang atong mga problema sa registration na solve na nato at the same time na clear na ilang pangalan and na-correct na, sigurado nga sa 2026 maka-claim gyud sila (Almost 95 percent have already been registered. We have resolved the issues encountered during registration, and at the same time, we have cleared and corrected their records. This ensures that they will definitely be able to claim their assistance in 2026),” he added.
Meanwhile, he reminded eligible senior citizens to get their subsidy through the Expanded Centenarian Act– 80,85,90,95, and 100 years old and that there will be subsidy distribution on June 23-25 at NCCC Buhangin. Family members of these senior citizens may check with their office for inclusion of their family members in the list of the beneficiaries.
The OSCA office is located at the Ground Floor of the Legislative Building at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), Magallanes St. CIO