House Approves Bill Expanding Centenarian Benefits to Octagenarians, Nonagenarians; P1M Gift To Seniors who turn 101

The House of Representatives approved Monday, HB 10647, authored by Baguio City Representative Mark Go and other 29 authors, a bill that expands the current centenarian law to cover benefits for octagenarian and nonagenarian senior citizens while granting a cash gift of P1 million to elderly Filipinos who reach the age of 101. This bill is in substitution of 30 house bills including Rep. Mark Go’s HB 1391.

House Bill (HB) 10647 seeks to amend Republic Act 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016” by providing senior citizens who turn 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old with a letter of felicitation from the president and a cash gift of P25,000.

While RA 10868 still grants seniors a cash gift of P100,000 on their 100th birthday, centenarians who turn 101 years old will receive P1 million under the amendment.

Once signed, the chairperson of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) will be in charge of the law’s implementation, with the budget allocated under the General Appropriations Act.

Rep. Go welcomed the swift approval of the bill, as it seeks to ensure the welfare of Filipinos into their advanced age, while respecting the place of the elderly in Filipino culture and traditions.

The bill is set to be transmitted to the Senate. ###