Senior citizens need not wait to reach 100 years old to get cash incentives from the government.
According to a proposal from Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., senior citizens 80 years old and above will be given a cash gift and a letter of felicitation by the government.
Senate Bill Nos. 1212 and 295, introduced by Zubiri and Revilla, respectively, seek to expand the coverage of the Centenarians Act of 2016 by amending Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10868.
Octogenarians shall be granted P30,000 while an additional P30,000 shall be granted to nonagenarians. A person will receive P50,000 when he or she reaches 100 years.
Under Zubiri’s proposal, octogenarians shall be granted P30,000 while an additional P30,000 shall be granted to nonagenarians.
A senior citizen will get P50,000 when he or she reaches 100 years of age or becomes a centenarian. These amounts make up a total of P110,000 to be given in tranches.
On the other hand, Revilla proposed the granting of P25,000 to senior citizens who will reach 80 years old, an additional P25,000 to those reaching 90 years old and P50,000 to those who live to be 100 years old.
“It is unfortunate to note that not so many Filipinos live up to 100 years old and thus, only a few get to enjoy the benefits under the current law,” Zubiri said.
“The money could be used to buy medicines and other needs that would ease the financial burden largely shouldered by their families.”
To further motivate senior citizens to live longer, the veteran legislator said SBN 1212 seeks to expand the coverage of Republic Act No. 10868 by granting them additional benefits before they turn 100 years old.
“The money could be used to buy medicines and other needs that would ease the financial burden largely shouldered by their families,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
“Most of our senior citizens find it difficult to buy basic necessities and even forego expensive medications and procedures,” Revilla explained.
“Through this bill, it is hoped that our elderly would be able to enjoy such entitlements and assist them to further prolong their lives beyond a century,” the veteran legislator added.