Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No. 8768

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Love, respect and reverence to the elderly are values deeply ingrained in the
Filipino culture. We value their opinions and seek their blessing before making
important decisions. We marvel at their experiences, and appreciate the lessons
they share. Traditional Filipino communities, especially indigenous tribes, place their
elderly in positions of leadership or chief authority.

This bill proposes that apart from the intangible benefits that come with
advanced age, the State shall also grant Filipinos reaching the age of ninety (90) a
financial gift of ninety-thousand pesos (Php 90,000.00) in honor of the wisdom they
have imparted to their immediate families and communities, and the service they
have devoted in their respective fields.

Currently, Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 already
provides for a cash gift amounting to Php 100,000.00 and a Letter of Felicitation to
Filipino centenarians. Unfortunately, the life expectancy in our jurisdiction of 69.3
years old has remained below the global average of 72; and the age of 100
especially challenging to meet. In line with this, the bill proposed herein seeks to
amend RA 10868 by lowering the age of qualified recipients by 10 years to allow
more beneficiaries to actually enjoy the incentive. In sum, the amount of Php 90,000
shall be released to nonagenarians, and an additional amount of Php 10,000 will be
given to them upon reaching their 100" year along with the Letter of Felicitation from
the President.


The spirit of RA 10868 is to allow Filipino centenarians to enjoy their
remaining years through the simple token of a cash gift. Recent statistics, however,
urge the adjustment of this age requirement lest the true intent of the law be
defeated.

In consideration of the foregoing premises, the passage of this bill is humbly
sought.

LU YM “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8768

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO AMEND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10868,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CENTENARIANS ACT OF 2016
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as Centenarians
Act of 2016 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2. Letter of Felicitation and Cash Gift. — All Filipinos who reach the age
of one hundred (100) years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad,
shall be honored with:

a) A Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines
congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity; and

b) A Centenarian Gift in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) to be distributed and given as follows: Upon
reaching the age of ninety (90) years old P90,000.00 shall be
advanced to him or her. The P10,000.00 balance shall be given
when he or she will reach one hundred (100) years old together
with the letter of felicitation mentioned above.

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.


SECTION 3. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, which shall not be later than seven (7) days after the approval thereof.

Approved,