House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is pushing for the immediate passage of a measure expanding cash benefits for senior citizens, particularly by extending coverage to Filipinos aged 70 to 75.
De Lima is seeking support for House Bill No. 9170, which proposes amendments to Republic Act No. 11982, the law that previously expanded the Centenarians Act of 2016 (RA 10868).
The bill introduces a gradual cash gift system covering senior citizens from age 70 up to 100.
Under the proposal, Filipinos aged 70 would receive P25,000; those reaching 80 would get P50,000; and those aged 90 would receive P75,000.
Additional cash gifts of P10,000 would also be granted at milestone ages of 75, 85, and 95.
The measure covers all Filipinos, whether residing in the country or abroad.
“Our existing laws rightfully seek to honor the Filipino elderly who reach the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 by providing them with cash benefits. However, most of our countrymen do not live long enough to receive these benefits. Even when they do, they are often no longer able to fully enjoy them,” De Lima said in a news release.
She said the proposal aims to provide earlier financial support while acknowledging the declining capacity of seniors to work and the increasing cost of healthcare with age.
“This measure seeks not only to honor our senior citizens by providing cash incentives for reaching milestone years, but also to provide them with the financial support they increasingly need as their capacity for work decreases and health complications increase with age,” she added.
Republic Act 10868 was enacted in 2016 to grant P100,000 to Filipinos reaching 100 years old. It was later amended by RA 11982 to include cash gifts of P10,000 for those reaching ages 80, 85, 90, and 95.
De Lima cited data from the Philippine Institute of Development Studies showing that Filipinos have a life expectancy of about 71 years, as well as World Bank figures placing it at around 70 years as of 2024.
World Health Organization estimates also show an average life expectancy of 66.4 years overall.
“Our senior citizens are already at the stage of their life where care and comfort matter most. Huwag na nating ipagdamot o ipagkait ang mga benepisyong kaya nang ipagkaloob ng Estado sa kanila bilang pagpapahalaga at pasasalamat sa kanilang kontribusyon sa ating Lipunan,” De Lima said.
Photo courtesy of Leila de Lima / Facebook
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