Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__ 360

Introduced by HONORABLE LORETO “AMBEN” S. AMANTE
Third (3rd) Legislative District, Province of Laguna

AN ACT GRANTING BENEFITS TO FILIPINO SEPTUAGENARIANS,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11982
WHICH AMENDED REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10868 OR THE
“CENTENARIANS ACT OF 2016”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Explanatory Note

With the passage of Republic Act No. 11982 on February 26, 2024 which granted
benefits to Filipino Octogenarians and Nonagenarians, aside from Filipino Centenarians
receiving commensurate benefits by virtue of Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known
as the “Centenarians Act of 2016", it emphatically illuminated our deeply embedded
Filipino culture of high respect and profound care for our elders.

Regrettably, as we face the emerging demographic reality of ageing, several
studies have shown that the increasing number of elderly population of our society
necessitates accelerated and broaden interventions to ensure adequate social security
favorable to such vulnerable sector in terms of financial support, at the very least.

While the Act sought to be amended herein, as well as its precursor, are primarily
contemplated to honor or pay tribute to our elders for longevity, the present Bill shall
further strengthen our Constitutional commitment to provide our senior citizens with
adequate social services and improved quality of life inasmuch as their current stage of
life needs the most of the blessings of the law.

Parenthetically, it must be highlighted that during biblical times, age seventy (70)
was considered as man’s average lifespan and that life beyond seventy (70) was
already a fringe benefit. In parallel, various studies likewise shown that the country's life
expectancy range, at present time, is at an alarming state whereby available data
evinced that an average Filipino residing in the country has a lifespan of only 69.3
years! or 71.23 years?. At such age thus, it may be safely envisioned that most of our
elders are already enduring certain health issues or economic hardships, to name a few.

It is in this light that the undersigned intends to amend the prevailing law, i.e., for
the sheer purpose of amplifying the benefits of the law in favor of other age brackets.
And thus bearing witness to the immemorial aphorism, in the vernacular, that “Huli man
daw at magaling ay naihahabol din”.

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Evidently, the scheduled amounts in the proposed Bill would not endure
throughout the next availment, given the 5-year gap for every prescribed monetary
benefit, but the noble value of which, most especially to the ailing or underprivileged
sector of our elderly population, would be worthy enough to augment their pecuniary or
medical needs. Stated differently, it may not be sufficiently enough, but clearly an
apparent step of determined assertion that the Government cares.

Foregoing premises considered, the approval of this proposed measure is hereby
most solemnly sought.

RETO “AMBEN” S. AMANTE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.___ 360

Introduced by HONORABLE LORETO “AMBEN” S. AMANTE
Third (3rd) Legislative District, Province of Laguna

AN ACT GRANTING BENEFITS TO FILIPINO SEPTUAGENARIANS,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11982
WHICH AMENDED REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10868 OR 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 1 of Republic Act No. 11982 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

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

Section 2. Letter of Felicitation and Cash Gift.- All Filipinos,
whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, upon reaching the age
of one hundred (100) years old, shall receive a cash gift of One
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) and a Letter of Felicitation
from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for
his or her longevity.

All Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad,
upon reaching the ages of
eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety (90) and ninety- five (95), shall
each receive a cash gift of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00).

The grantees under this section shall be eligible to receive the
cash gift within one (1) year from reaching the ages of SEVENTY
(70), SEVENTY-FIVE (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety
(90), ninety-five (95) and one hundred (100).”

SECTION 2. Appropriations — The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
presidential proclamations, rules or regulations and other issuances, or parts
thereof, contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.