A senior lawmaker revealed that Republic Act (RA) No. 11982, recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ensures that elderly Filipinos receive cash rewards upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95, not just when they turn 100.
The legislation provides a P10,000 cash bonus for senior citizens at these milestones, along with an additional P100,000 when they reach the century mark, said Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte.
Highlighting the significance of appreciating the contributions of senior citizens during their more productive years, Villafuerte expressed the government’s acknowledgment through cash incentives at various stages of old age.
He emphasized that this proactive approach aims to recognize the meaningful impact seniors have on society.
“Seldom do Filipinos reach the age of 100, so what better way for the national government and the Congress to show our country’s appreciation for the significant contributions of our grandparents and other seniors to society during their relatively more productive years than to give them a cash windfall not only when they become centenarians but even when they turn 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte was the lead author of House Bill (HB) 302, which was one of the bills consolidated into the final version of the measure (HB 7535) approved by the House of Representatives.
He had authored HB 302 with CamSur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, along with the Bicol Saro partylist.
The legislation amends RA 10868 or Centenarians Act of 2016, and mandates the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) to oversee the implementation of the program, taking over from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
With 662 Filipino centenarians identified by the DSWD, Villafuerte’s initiative focuses on addressing the financial well being of the elderly.
In addition to his efforts on RA 11982, Villafuerte has been an active contributor to various legislative acts benefiting senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), and single parents.
Image credits: PNA