THE national government has already paid out an aggregate of P1.2 billion in cash gifts to Filipinos who have reached the age of 100 years, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said on Monday.
“A total of 12,186 Filipinos have already received their P100,000 cash award each since the passage of the Centenarian’s Law up to September this year,” Rillo said.
“We wish to assure Filipinos who are nearing a century old that Congress is absolutely committed to keep up the annual appropriations for their cash grant,” Rillo said.
“In fact, we’ve earmarked another P186 million for the cash gift in the 2024 national budget,” Rillo said.
“At this point, we would also urge every province, city, and municipality to give their own P100,000 cash gift to every Filipino in their jurisdiction who reaches the age of 100 years. That is, assuming they are not doing it already,” Rillo said.
Under the Centenarians Law of 2016, or Republic Act No. 10868, every Filipino who reaches 100 years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, is entitled to receive the P100,000 tax-free gift from the national government plus a congratulatory letter from the President.
The money for the gift is lodged in the annual budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The gift is on top of all other rewards that centenarians may receive from other sources, such as their local governments.
The House of Representatives previously approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to expand the coverage of the Centenarian’s Law and recognize octogenarians as well as nonagenarians.
Under House Bill No. 7535, Filipinos would receive a P25,000 cash gift upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95 years, while those who reach 101 years of age would receive P1 million on their birthday.
The Senate earlier approved on third and final reading a similar measure.
Under Senate Bill No. 2028, Filipinos who turn 80 years old would receive a P10,000 cash gift, and another P20,000 upon reaching 90 years old.
The House and Senate bills are set to be reconciled by a bicameral conference committee.
