Senate OKs bill seeking to grant cash gift to Filipinos aged 80, 90

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to give cash gift to Filipinos reaching the ages of 80 and 90.

Senate Bill No. 2028, or An Act Recognizing the Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, and Centenarians, seeks to expand the Centenarians Act. Under the bill, 80-year-olds and 90-year-olds will be given ₱10,000 and ₱20,000, respectively.

Centenarians are still entitled to a ₱100,000 cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the president congratulating the celebrant for their longevity, in accordance with the current Centenarians Act of 2016.

The bill states that octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians are eligible to receive the cash gift within one year from reaching the ages of 80, 90, and 100.

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) would be mandated to maintain an elderly data management system that contains relevant information on the persons covered by the measure.

The bill also states that the amount necessary to implement the act should be included in the budget of the NCSC under the General Appropriations Act.

Senator Win Gatchalian, co-author of the bill, notes that reaching the ages of 80, 90, and 100 “has become a rarity.”

“Sa wakas, pati ang mga lolo’t lola natin na umabot ng 80 o hanggang 90 years old ay mabibiyayaan na rin ng regalo na maaaring makatulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay, at habang naghihintay sila ng mas malaking regalo pagdating nila ng 100 years old,” Gatchalian said.

[Translation: Finally, our grandparents who reach 80 or even 90 years old will be blessed with a gift that can help in their daily living, and while they wait for a bigger gift when they arrive 100 years old.]