A technical working group (TWG) under the House Committee on Senior Citizens has consolidated 21 bills seeking to grant additional financial aid to senior citizens.
The TWG, in a statement, said the move was in response to the serious health threat posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic on senior citizens, and appeals from different organizations of senior citizens to grant members cash gifts even before reaching 100 years old.
Most senior citizens did not receive cash aid during the lockdown, Rep. Enrico Pineda of 1PACMAN party-list group said.
The TWG recommended amendments to Republic Act 10868, also known as the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” which provides for a P100,000 “Centenarian Gift” to senior citizens and a letter from the president upon reaching 100 years old.
Under the proposal, aside from the original P100,000 “Centenarian Gift,” the elderly will get a cash gift of P25,000 on their 80th, 85th, 90th, and 95th birthdays, for a total of P100,000. (Jojo Mangahis)