Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7035

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
Bulacan — 4" District

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as “An Act Honoring and Granting
Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians” provides for the granting of a
One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) cash gift to Filipino Centenarians, to honor and
celebrate their longevity.

Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would show
that in 2016 and 2017 after the passage of the aforementioned law, a total of 2,992 and 1,000
inos respectively were able to reach 100 years old and enjoy the centenarian cash gift. A
closer observation would lead us to conclude that in a matter of two years, more than fifty
(50%) percent

However, in the data published in 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO)
reported that life expectancy in the Philippines, on the average, is just 65.3 years for males
and 72 years for females, which is way below the 100 years that Filipino senior citizens have
to reach to avail of the Centenarian cash gift.

As a result, only a few of our elderly, whom we would want to honor and appreciate
for their many years of contribution to nation-building, get to avail of the Centenarian grant,
‘as many of them succumb to illness and death before their 100" birthday. There is therefore a
need to provide our elderly, whose need for medical and subsistence assistance are more
pronounced, with additional monetary incentives that will be given at an earlier age so they
can still enjoy and use them to defray their basic expenses.

Hence, we seek the immediate passage of this bill.

LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
Representative, 4" District of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7035

House Bill No.f¥99_
Introduced by Representative LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
Bulacan — 4" District

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GIVING OF GRADUATED CASH GRANTS TO
SENIOR CITIZENS

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

SECTION 1. Every Filipino senior citizen, under this Act, is hereby entitled to
receive cash grants graduated according to his or her longevity, as follows:

Date of Entitlement Amount of Grant

70" Birthday 70,000.00

80" Birthday Additional P10,000.00

90" Birthday Additional P10,000.00
100" Birthday Additional P10,000.00

SEC. 2. All living senior citizens who reached the age of seventy (70) and subsequent
ages stipulated in Section 1 prior to the effectivity of this Act shall be awarded with the
appropriate cash grant enumerated in the preceding section, during the occasion of the
ino Week, October | to 7 or one hundred twenty (120) days after the effectivity
of this Act, whichever comes earlier.

SEC. 3. Funding. — During the initial year of the implementation of this Act, the
requisite fund shall be sourced from the available funds of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD), and subsequently the amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall
issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, regulations and other issuances
or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC 6. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (20 newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.