A Senate bill filed by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. will mandate the government to give cash gifts to citizens reaching 80 and 90 years old.
Previously, only elderly citizens reaching 100 years old were eligible for the government cash gifts.
Revilla is the principal author of Senate Bill No. 2028 which substituted Senate Bill No. 21, the first measure he filed during the 19th Congress.
The senator said the bill is now nearing enactment after it successfully hurdled the third and final reading in the Senate last Sept. 25, which incidentally was his 57th birthday.
Under the “Revilla Bill,” all Filipinos reaching 80 and 90 years old shall receive cash gifts amounting to P10,000 and P20,000 respectively. Those reaching the age of 100 shall continue to receive P100,000 and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines.
Currently, only those who reach the age of 100 are entitled to cash benefits, but Revilla said that only a few Filipino senior citizens live up to the centenarian age, hence the need to amend it.
He noted that this is proof of giving importance, love, and care to our grandparents and elders.
Revilla said this is his top most priority bill which expanded the coverage of “Centenarians Act of 2016” to benefit octogenarians and nonagenarians.
The Revilla Bill received 20 affirmative votes with no negative votes and zero abstentions.
According to Revilla, he was elated and thankful for his priority measure.
“This is our offering to our seniors who have immense contributions to our country during their younger years,” emphasized the veteran lawmaker.
Revilla expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the Senate, especially to Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Chairperson Senator Imee R. Marcos and Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri for supporting the passage of the legislation.
“We aee happy with this development becwuse in reality, the beneficiaries are already too old before they receive and enjoy the monetary gift from the government.
He related that due to very old age, some of them really do not know what they are receiving from the government.
“So we really push to advance the cash giff so they can still enjoy it,” further stated Revilla.
The House of Representatives already passed a counterpart bill and a bicameral conference committee shall be constituted to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the two versions. Once reconciled and ratified by both chambers, the bill shall be ready for the President’s signature.