PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday signed into law two measures aimed at recognizing and protecting the creative rights and interests of Filipinos and promoting and protecting the welfare and rights of the elderly, especially those who are already in their 80s and 90s.
In a ceremony in Malacanang, the President signed Republic Act 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act, and RA 11982, granting benefits to octogenarians and nonagenarians.
Among those who witnessed the events were lawmakers led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Martin Romualdez and members of the Cabinet led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the signing of the Magna Carta for seafarers did not push through pending “further review.”
Malacananag had initially included the Magna Carta in the list of laws to be signed yesterday but was pulled out before the ceremonies started.The President said RA 11981 or the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act upholds inclusive economic growth and development in the country by encouraging, supporting, and promoting the production and offering of local products and services of increasing diversity, sophistication, and quality by domestic enterprises that are globally competitive.
Marcos said it is more than just a branding exercise as it provides incentives to local products that deserve to carry the “Made in the Philippines” trademark, and shows the world the creativity and skills of the Filipino worker.
“It is about incubating and incentivizing great products that deserve to carry the ‘Made in the Philippines’ trademark. It is about creating products and services of the highest quality, because Tatak Pinoy is also about excellence, and as a seal of great workmanship, it must only be applied to those that meet this high standard. As such, we shall give preference and priority to our products,” he said.
He added that to creative minds who boldly set out to transform their dreams into products that win markets and accolades, the Tatak Pinoy Act shall provide the impetus that will nurture innovative and inventive ideas.
Under the law, a Tatak Pinoy Council will be created and oversee the development and implementation of a multi-year strategy focusing on five key pillars, namely, human resources, investments, sound financial infrastructure, technology and innovation, and management.
The law also directs the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to look into elevating the country’s ranking in the Atlas of Economic Complexity where the Philippines currently is ranked 33rd among 133 countries, with an overall economic complexity index of 0.76. The Atlas of Economic Complexity measures the level of sophistication of export products being produced by countries globally.
The Philippines exports high to moderate complex products such as electronics and integrated circuits, electrical machinery and equipment, as well as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services.
Tatak Pinoy also builds on the existing flagship initiatives of the DTI, such as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) and Malikhaing Pinoy Program, which cultivate and promote unique products and empower local entrepreneurs and innovators to elevate the quality and marketability of locally made products.
THE ELDERLY
While recognizing and promoting Filipino talent, the government also takes care of its elders by recognizing milestones they achieve when they reach the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95 through a P10,000 cash gift.
RA 11982 expands the Centenarians Act of 2016 to recognize and include all elderly Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, as recipients of the P10,000 cash gift upon reaching the age of 80 and every five years thereafter, or until the age of 95.
The President said the expansion of the coverage of the Centenarians Act pays homage to the Filipino trait of compassion, and in the Philippine culture, this shows more kindness and compassion to the elderly.
Marcos said more than just the “cash in an envelope,” the greying population should have the support infrastructure that they need to make lives easier and their needs attended.
Data from the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) said there are around 950,000 octogenarians and nonagenarians in the country.
The NCSC shall craft the implementing rules and regulations for the new law, including the guidelines for the distribution of the cash grant to octogenarians and nonagenarians.
At present, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) oversees the awarding of the P100,000 cash gifts to Centenarians.
DSWD assistant secretary and spokesman Romel Lopez said the department welcomed the enactment of the new law and should the DSWD’s assistance be needed in the implementation, “rest assured that we will be ready.”
SENATORS RESPOND
Senators thanked President Marcos for signing into law the Tatak Pinoy (Proudy Filipino) Law and the Expanded Centenarians Act.
Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, principal author and sponsor of the Tatak Pinoy Law, said the measure is a “giant leap” for the Philippines to achieve its goal of becoming an industrialized country.
Angara said Tatak Pinoy took almost five years in the making since extensive studies, research, and consultations were conducted with industry leaders, representatives of micro, small, and medium enterprises; the academe, foreign institutions, and relevant government agencies for the crafting of the landmark law.
“The aim of Tatak Pinoy is to strengthen our economy through the coordination of the government and the private sector. Through Tatak Pinoy, we will determine what our businessmen need to strengthen their operations and how the government can help to achieve their goals,” Angara said in a statement.
To achieve the objectives of the measure, Angara said industries will receive support for the expansion and upgrading of their operations to make them more competitive in both the global and domestic markets.
He said big and small industries would be encouraged to innovate to produce higher-value products that are sought after by bigger markets which will result in greater incomes for them.
Angara said that under the measure, there will be targeted interventions aimed at specific industries and sectors that have the potential for further growth or expansion.
He added that a Tatak Pinoy strategy would be formulated which will serve as the roadmap for national government agencies, the local government units, and the private sector to attain the goals set forth in the law.
Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. thanked President Marcos for signing into law the Expanded Centenarian Law, which the senator said was his campaign promise to the elderly.
Revilla, in a press conference at the Senate, said the law would take effect 15 days after its publication in the official gazette.
He said those whose ages range from 80 to 100 years old should register at the nearest Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs for them to be included in the cash gifts that will be given out next year since allotment for this program is not included in the 2024 national budget.
Under the law, those who reach 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old will receive P10,000 cash gifts, while 100 years old will get P100,000 each.
He said around 194,000 elderly aged 80 will benefit from the program; some 57,000 for those 85 years old; around 24,000 for those aged 90; more than 6,000 for those aged 95; and around 2,500 for those who will reach 100 years old
He said a little less than P2.2 billion would be allotted for this program.
“Those who will reach the age of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100, make sure that you register. And for this, our grandfathers and grandmothers will have a small bonus from our government to recognize their hardships,” he added.
He said the data to be gathered will be stored in an Elderly Data Management System which will be maintained by the Commission on Senior Citizens to ensure that all qualified beneficiaries will get the benefits.
Revilla first filed the measure during the start of the 18th Congress in 2019 but it failed to become a law.
He also filed Senate Bill No. 1573 which seeks to lower the age of those covered by the Expanded Senior Citizens Act by bringing down the age to 56.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the expansion of the coverage of the Centenarians Act is laudable as it provides recognition of the valuable contribution of the elderly to society. — With Raymond Africa
