Manila, May 7 -- The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is urging qualified overseas Filipino octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians to claim their cash benefits under the recently enacted Expanded Centenarians Act or Republic Act 11982.

In a news release on Wednesday, CFO Chairperson Secretary Dante Ang II said that despite their distance from the Philippines, overseas Filipino elderly continue to contribute to the country's economy through the remittances sent to their families back home.

Ang said they also help preserve and promote Filipino culture and heritage through the various events by community organizations, which also help foster a strong sense of national identity.

"Our elderly kababayan overseas have made inval...