HB01959: AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO FILIPINO CENTENARIANS, RECOGNIZING OCTOGENARIANS AND NONAGENARIANS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10868, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CENTENARIANS ACT OF 2016”
House Bill No. 1959 aims to expand the benefits provided by the Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act No. 10868) by recognizing and granting additional cash gifts to octogenarians (80, 85, 90, and 95 years old) in addition to centenarians. Under the proposed amendments, Filipinos reaching the age of 80, 85, 90, and 95 will receive a letter of felicitation from the President and a cash gift of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00) at each milestone. Furthermore, it proposes a One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) cash gift for Filipinos who reach the age of 101. The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) is designated as the lead agency for implementing this act.
The significance of this bill lies in its broader recognition and support for the elderly population in the Philippines. By providing incremental cash gifts starting at age 80, the bill seeks to offer financial assistance and acknowledgment to a larger segment of senior citizens, allowing them to enjoy these benefits earlier in their later years. This initiative highlights the State's commitment to social security for the elderly and aims to improve their quality of life by providing them with proper recognition and tangible support.