Seniors’ incentives, PH brand laws signed; seafarers’ act under review

Seniors’ incentives, PH brand laws signed; seafarers’ act under review

About 194,000 elderly Filipinos, more than half of them turning 80 years old this year, are expected to benefit from a law granting P10,000 in cash to beneficiaries turning 80, 85, 90 and 95, according to its principal author.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. also urged seniors 80 and above to register with their local social welfare office so they could avail themselves of the cash assistance provided by the Expanded Centenarians Act (Republic Act No. 11982), one of two key measures that President Marcos signed into law during ceremonies at Malacañang on Monday attended by leaders of Congress.

Retained in that law which expands the Centenarians Act of 2016 (RA 10868) is the cash assistance of P100,000 to seniors who reach the age of 100.

“This is a small bonus for the sacrifices of those who took care of us… This is [still] really good news for them,” Revilla said in a briefing on Monday.

Not in the budget

“I want to thank our beloved President and my colleagues for the passage of this law. I’m really happy because this is my campaign promise to our grandparents,” he added.

Revilla noted, however, that the cash assistance provided by RA 11982 would not be available until next year since it was not part of the current national budget.

“That’s why it’s important for [seniors] to register now,” he said, even as he acknowledged that the money is still not enough to meet their needs.

The President himself noted that the elderly “deserve more than cash in an envelope” and should also be given “support infrastructure.”

Ako Bicol party list Rep. Elizaldy Co, however, believes the cash assistance can “be funded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) this year at the earliest.”

READ: Elderly covered by Centenarian

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