Various groups representing the senior citizen sector expressed their support for Senator Bong Revilla’s proposed amendment of Republic Act 10868, “An Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians,” or the “Centenarians Act of 2016.”
During the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development joint with the Committees on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, Finance, Ways and Means chaired by Revilla, representatives from various government and private senior citizen groups and organizations agreed to the veteran lawmaker’s proposal to divide the distribution of the P 100,000 incentive for any Filipino citizen who will reach the age of 100.
According to the veteran legislator, senior citizens will receive P 25,000 when they reach the age of 80, another P 25,000 upon reaching the age of 90, and the remaining P50,000 when they reach the age of 100.
“Revilla’s proposal is timely and appropriate since the number of Filipinos reaching 100 continues to decrease.”
On hearing the proposal, invited panelists representing the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) from various parts of the country said that Revilla’s proposal is timely and appropriate since the number of Filipinos reaching the age of 100 continues to decrease.
“Those who reach 100 no longer appreciate the financial incentive.”
Meanwhile, guest panelists also pointed out that centenarians no longer appreciate the financial incentive, and let their children or caretakers handle it for them.
“Napakagandang batas po ng Centenarians Act dahil napahahalagahan natin ang ating mga nakatatanda nating kababayan na nangangailangan na ngayon ng pagmamahal at pag-agapay. Mas pag-iibayuhin pa natin ang batas na ito kaya iminumungkahi natin na hatiin ang pagbibigay ng financial incentive sa edad na 80 pa lang para mapakinabangan at ma-enjoy nila ito,” the seasoned lawmaker said.