THE House of Representatives yesterday approved on third and final reading a bill increasing the cash gift for Filipino centenarians who reach at least 101 years old from P100,000 to P1 million in a bid to honor and support them.
With an overwhelming 257 votes, the chamber approved House Bill (HB) No. 7535, which seeks to grant P1 million to Filipinos who reach 101 years old, whether living here or abroad, and P25,000 to Filipinos who reach the age of 80 and 85 (octogenarians), and 90 and 95 (nonagenarians).
Those entitled to the cash gifts will also receive a letter of felicitation from the president of the Philippines.
“With this legislation, the House of Representatives 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,” said Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“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,” Romualdez said.
Some of the principal authors are Reps. Rodolfo Ordanes, Jude Acidre, Sonny Lagon, Daphne Lagon, Brian Yamsuan, Patrick Michael Vargas, Toby Tiangco, Salvador Pleyto, Roy Loyola, Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Loreto Amante, Jam Baronda, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, Paolo Duterte, Migs Nograles, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Gustavo Tambunting.
House Bill (HB) No. 7535 mandates the National Commission of Senior Citizens to implement the measure once it is passed into law.
It also seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 which entitles all Filipinos who reach 100 years old and above with a cash gift worth P100,000.
Two in every 100,000 Filipinos are centenarians as of 2020, and majority of them are women, according to a report by Business Mirror citing data from a UK-based home care marketplace.
In a House committee hearing last year, then Department of Social Welfare and Development chief Erwin Tulfo reported said there are 662 Filipino centenarians in the country.
