MAMAMAYANG Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima is proposing cash benefits for Filipinos aged 70 and 75.
“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 statement on Monday.
“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 said.
Under the Centenarians Act, all Filipinos, whether living here or abroad, are entitled to a cash gift: P10,000 upon reaching the age of 80, 85, 90, and 95; and P100,000 upon reaching the age of 100.
House Bill 9170, which de Lima filed last May 11, entitles all Filipinos to a cash gift of P25,000 upon reaching the age of 70 and to P10,000 upon reaching the age of 75.
They shall also receive a cash gift of P50,000 upon reaching the age of 80 and P75,000 upon reaching the age of 90.
In the bill’s explanatory note, de Lima cited a Philippine Institute of Development Studies report published in February 2021 that Filipinos had a 71-year life expectancy, and World Bank data which put the average life expectancy of Filipinos at 70 years as of 2024.
She also cited the World Health Organization (WHO) which said the average life expectancy of Filipinos was 66.4 years as of 2021, with 69.9 years old for women and 63.4 for men.
“Our elders deserve better service, protection and support from our government and society through policies that are truly responsive to their needs and concerns,” she said.
“Our senior citizens are already at the stage of their life where care and comfort matter most,” she said.
