Senate passes bill expanding cash aid for elderly

VOTING 20-0-0, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill that will amend the Centenarians Act of 2016 by distributing the P100,000 cash gift much earlier to senior citizens aged 80, 90 and 100.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of 2015, there were about 7.5 million senior citizens and close to 10 percent or some 790,000 are estimated to be 80 to 90 years old.

Under Senate Bill (SB) 2028, or the proposed «Expanding the Coverage of the Centenarians Act,» senior citizens living in the Philippines or abroad should be granted P10,000 upon reaching 80 years old, P20,000 upon reaching 90 years old, and P100,000 upon reaching 100 years old.

They need not have to wait until they reach a hundred years old before receiving P100,000 from the government.

Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda «Imee» Marcos, who sponsored the bill, said that life expectancy among Filipinos is 79 years for men and 83 years for women.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino «Koko» Pimentel 3rd noted that many Filipinos do not reach the age of 100 and are unable to enjoy the «benefits and privileges of the centenarians which award P100,000 cash to every Filipino centenarian.»

«The rising cost of living and health care expenses have made it very difficult for our senior citizens to afford basic necessities. It is hoped that more of our elderly population may be able to benefit from the Centenarians Act and that they may be inspired to further prolong and enjoy their lives even beyond a century,» Marcos said.

Sen. Ramon «Bong» Revilla Jr., co-sponsor of SB 2028, said the bill is a testimony to the special Filipino culture of providing for the elderly.

The senator earlier said the government «should not make senior citizens wait for