Senator Bong Go said he is supporting a proposed measure which will allow senior citizens over the age of 80 to receive a portion of the P100,000 cash gift given to centenarians.
“This cash gift is a tangible way to show them that their contributions to society are valued and appreciated,” Go said.
Senator Imee Marcos was the principal sponsor of the proposed Senate Bill No. 2028. The counterpart version in the House of Representatives already passed on second reading on March 21.
As a culture that values taking care of elders, Go emphasized the need to support and recognize senior citizens since they are a very family-oriented and caring people.
If passed into law, a cash gift of P100,000 in total, will be distributed in three equal tranches to senior citizens who reach the ages of 80, 90, and 100 years old.
Currently, only those who reach 100 years old will receive the cash gift.
However, the average life expectancy of Filipinos is around 70 years old, making it difficult for many seniors to receive this benefit.
Go added that the proposed bill also aims to have a greater impact on more senior citizens by giving the cash benefit at a time when health interventions would have mattered for a better chance of healing and achieving better health outcomes.
Go stressed that as a vulnerable group, senior citizens need the help and support of the government.
He said the cash gift will also help improve the health and welfare of our senior citizens. He believes that we should recognize their sacrifices and honor their contributions to our society. Macon Ramos-Araneta
Sen. Bong Revilla, co-sponsor of the bill said beneficiaries are too old to enjoy the cash gift they receive if it will be released to them when the6 reached the age of 100.
“Let us recognize and value the role that our elders play in our society.”
As reported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, a total of 9,230 centenarians have benefitted since the implementation of the law – 2,739 in 2016; 940 in 2017; 1,509 in 2018; 1,090 in 2019; 985 in 2020; 1,305 in 2021; and 662 in 2022.
