Revilla to amend Centenarians Act
n line with his legislative agenda articulated in the last campaign to push for the causes and welfare of the elderly, Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr. on Monday filed a bill seeking the amendment of Section 2 of RA 10868 of the Centenarians Act of 2016, or the giving of a cash gift of P 100,000 to any Filipino citizen who will reach the age of 100.
According to Revilla's bill, the P100,000 cash gift will be distributed in three installments - P25,000 to those who reach 80 years old; P25,000; to those who reached 90; and the remaining P50,000 will be given to those who reach 100 years old.
"This amendment is timely because the percentage of Filipinos reaching 100 continue to decline thru the years - mainly due to the rising cost of living and the high cost of medicines and healthcare," Revilla said.
This is supported by data released by the World Health Organization stating that since 2016, the life expectancy for Filipino males is 66 and 73 for females.
"Ika nga sa kasabihan natin, aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo. Kakaunti na lang ang mga kababayan nating umaabot sa 100. Dapat talaga na hatiin natin at mas agahan natin ang pagbibigay ng cash gift sa ating mga lolo at lola para mas pakinabangan nila yung tulong ng pamahalaan. Yung edad kasi na 80 at 90, doon mas kailangan ng mga nakatatanda natin ng pampagamot," the lawmaker explained.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), only 1,009 centenarians received cash gifts as of August 2018.