The Centenarian Act of the Philippines, officially known as Republic Act No. 10868, is a law that was signed by former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on June 23, 2016. The law grants Filipino citizens who have reached the age of 100 years or more a one-time gift of Php 100,000 and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines.
The Centenarian Act also provides for the creation of a “Centenarian Office” in every province, city, and municipality in the country, which will be responsible for implementing the law and ensuring that the rights of centenarians are protected. The law also mandates that government agencies and local government units shall provide priority services to centenarians.
Furthermore, the law seeks to promote respect for the elderly and recognize their contributions to society. It aims to foster a culture of respect for the elderly and encourage the younger generation to value and learn from their experiences and wisdom.
The Centenarian Act of the Philippines aims to honor and recognize the country’s centenarians, provide them with support, and promote respect for the elderly.
Now, the House of Representatives passed a bill boosting the financial gift for Filipino centenarians who reach 101 years old from P100,000 to P1 million on third and final reading as soon as session resumed Wednesday according to PhilStar report.
With a resounding 257 votes, lawmakers also gave Filipinos P25,000 when they turned 80, 85, 90, or 95 regardless of whether they were residing in the country or overseas.
According to House Bill 7535, the president of the Philippines will send each of these senior citizens a letter of felicitation.
With the bill, Speaker Martin Romualdez stated that the House “would like to honor our countrymen for their years of service to the country and for their discipline in ensuring that they live a long, healthy and fruitful life.”
“Of course, we also want our octogenarians and nonagenarians to enjoy this benefit while they still can without having to wait until 101 years old, so we also provided a cash gift for them,” he said.
Once enacted into law, the bill requires the National Commission of Senior Citizens to carry it out.
Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes of the Senior Citizens party-list emphasized earlier that only 1,000 senior citizens out of 12 million receive the P100,000 centenarian cash incentive when urging the bill’s approval.
Ordanes continued, saying that expanding the cash grant’s coverage would benefit the elderly in more ways than just monetarily.
According to Department of Social Welfare and Development records, there are 662 Filipinos who are 100 years old or older.
In addition to Ordanes, the measure’s other main authors include Representatives Jude Acidre, Sonny Lagon, Daphne Lagon, Brian Yamsuan, PM Vargas, Toby Tiangco, Salvador Pleyto, Roy Loyola, LRay Villafuerte, Loreto Amante, Jam Baronda, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, Paolo Duterte, Migs Nograles, Lani Mercado-Revilla and Gus Tambunting.
Source: PhilStar
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