As the country marks the annual National Elderly Filipino Week, health advocacy group Anakalusugan has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to support a pending measure in Congress that seeks to lower the age bracket for beneficiaries of the P100,000 incentive under the Centenarians Act of 2016.
“Growing old is never a hindrance to leading productive lives. Lowering the age bracket will ensure that our beloved senior citizens receive the benefits as provided in the law while they still are strong and able to enjoy the cash incentive,” Anakalusugan said in a statement.
“We appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to consider certifying the amendment as a priority measure of his administration. This will be a meaningful gift to our senior citizens, who can still make a difference in society and contribute much to nation-building,” the group added.
House Bill No. 7821 seeks to amend the Centenarians Act of 2018. Under the proposed measure, nanogenarians or senior citizens who reach the age of 90 may already receive a cash gift of P90,000. The remaining P10,000 will be released when they reach 100 years old.
Last year, lawmakers said out of the 3,900 centenarians in the country, only 2,000 were able to receive the cash incentive due them as some were already bedridden.
Under the present law, aside from the one-time P100,000 cash incentive, centenarians will also receive a letter of felicitation signed by the President.
Filipino centenarians living overseas may also avail of the incentives upon verification with the Commission on Filipino Overseas.
Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino hopes to rally more government support for the senior citizens.
“Our senior citizens have important role in our society and your family so it is just appropriate to help our senior citizen,” said Aquino, who met with leaders of different senior citizens’ organizations from Luzon.
In the 17th Congress, Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 674 to create a National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) to ensure that rights and privileges they are entitled to are properly given to senior citizens.
“It is important to ensure all benefits intended for or senior citizens. Let us focus on their welfare,” Aquino whose parents are both senior citizens.
The bill seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board and replacing it with NCSC.
The council will be led by a chairperson and commissioners from a list submitted by senior citizens organizations and associations.
During his talk with senior citizens, the senator said that the Go Negosyo Act, which he sponsored and authored in the 16th Congress, will give them a chance to venture into business, which will enable them to provide additional help to their family.
In doing business, Aquino said the country still have a way to help Filipino families.
Aquino also assured senior citizens of his full support behind the Universal Social Pension Bill filed by Sen. Grace Poe. The bill aims to provide a universal social pension for all senior citizens.