P10,000 CASH GIFT FOR ELDERLY CITIZENS, EXPANDED CENTENARIAN LAW

Expanded Centenarian for Senior Citizens ages 80 after every five years until age of 95 (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

Under the new law, senior citizens in the Philippines who will celebrate their ages 80, 85, 90, and 95 will receive a cash gift worth P10,000 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Expanded Centenarian on February 26, 2024.

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) stated that the said law providing cash assistance is recognition for the healthy lifestyle of a person to prolong his life. The senior citizens milestone years apart from reaching the age of 100 centenarians, the benefits and privileges were heard and for the enjoyment of older persons.

The expansion of coverage of the Republic Act 11982 (Extended Centenarian Act) revise the “Centenarians Act of 2016” or RA 10868, which gives P100,000 cash gifts to elderly people who will reach the age of 100.

According to President Marcos, it is an “Act Granting Benefits to Filipino Octogenarians (ages 80–89) and Nonagenarians (ages 90–99)," an expression of appreciation and respect for the Filipino elderly. The President noted that “support infrastructure” should also be given to the elderly because they deserve more than cash in an envelope.

The Chief Executive also mentioned the senior-friendly infrastructure in the country.

There are 9,242,121 senior citizens nationwide, based on the 2020 data form from the Philippine Statistics Authority. According to them, societal facilities should be expanded as well as the demographic enlarges.

Seniors 80 and older are encouraged and advised to register with their local social welfare office so that they can avail themselves of the cash assistance provided. This is a small reward, good news for them, for the sacrifices and hard labor of the elderly, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. said. 

Revilla stressed that since RA 11982 is not part of the current national budget, cash assistance will not be provided until next year. 

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

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