BAGUIO CITY—Baguio City Rep. Marquez “Mark” Go said House of Representatives Bill (HB) 8208, which is being proposed to substitute Republic Act (RA) 10868 or the Centenarian Act of 2016, was approved by the committee on senior citizens.
The bill, which proposes to grant cash incentives to senior citizens aged 85, 90, 95 and 100, has been approved by the House Committee on Senior Citizens.
“What we want to do is to advance these privileges to them before they reach the age of 100 so they can feel and appreciate such distinct recognition,” Go, author of HB 8208, said in interview.
Go explained it is rare for people to reach the age of 100, and even if they do, they cannot fully enjoy the benefits of the law because they are already suffering from health problems.
Under the bill, a senior citizen aged 85 and 90 will receive a cash gift of P25,000. Those who reach 95 will get P50,000, and when they reach 100, a cash gift of P100,000 will be granted to them, Go said.
Under the Centenarian Law of 2016, only Filipino citizens reaching the age of 100 get a cash incentive.
Aside from the cash incentive, the elderly will also receive a congratulatory letter from the President. “This will not be retroactive and there is no in-between application,” Go said.
RA 10868 or “An Act honoring and granting additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians,” otherwise known as the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” took effect on June 23, 2016.