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Republic of the Philippines i. 9,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES //& RECEIVED 2
Quezon City 4
NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3943

Introduced by Representatives Sonny L. Lagon and Daphne A. Lagon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as the Centenarians Act of 2016, embodies
the Filipino’s trait of recognizing and honouring the valuable contributions of elderly Filipinos
to their families, communities and the society in general. Aside from a Letter of Felicitation
from the President, the law mandates the grant of a Centenarian Gift in the amount of one
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) to all Filipinos who reach the age of one hundred years
old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad.

While the intention of the law is very commendable, very few Filipinos get to live long
enough to enjoy this special benefits. Further, it should be noted that many of those who are
lucky enough to qualify for the benefits no longer have the mental faculties to enjoy and
appreciate the gift and the accolade. According to the World Health Organization’s statistics
published in 2018, the average life expectancy for Filipinos is 69.3 years old.

Itis, therefore, the objective of this bill to grant an Octogenarian Gift of eighty thousand
pesos (P80,000) to Filipinos who reach the age of eighty years old which amount shall be
deducted from the Centenarian Gift mandated by Republic Act No. 10868 should the
beneficiary gets to avail of the same. The intention is to make the gift more accessible to more
Filipinos and enable them to enjoy it during the twilight years of their lives when medicines
and other necessities are more urgent. As the old Filipino adage says, “Aanhin pa ang damo
kung patay na ang kabayo.”

In view of the foregoing, the prompt passage of this measure is earnestly sought and
recommended.

ex,

SONNY L. LAGON DAPH NA ON
Party List, AKO BISAYA 6" District, Cebu


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3949

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives Sonny L. Lagon and Daphne A. Lagon

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A CASH GIFT OF EIGHTY THOUSAND PESOS (P80,000) TO
FILIPINO OCTOGENARIANS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10868

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Octogenarian Act of 2019”.

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

b) A Centenarian Gift in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000) to be given as follows:

Eighty thousand pesos (P80,000) upon reaching eighty years old;

‘Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) upon reaching the age of one
hundred years old.

SECTION 3. 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 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, which
shall not be lateer than seven (7) days after the approval hereof.

Approved,