Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

907,

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Sonny L. Lagon, Party List, AKO BISAYA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as the Centenarians Act of 2016, embodies
the Filipino’s trait of recognizing and honoring 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 these 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 cash gift and the accolade. According to the World Health Organization’s
statistics published in 2018, the average life expectancy of Filipinos is 69.3 years old.

Itis, therefore, the objective of this bill to grant an Octogenarian Gift of eighty thousand
pesos (80,000) 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

SONNY L. LAGON
Party List, AKO BISAYA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,__ 907

Introduced by Rep. Sonny L. Lagon, Party List, AKO BISAYA

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

SECTION 3. Funding. — During the initial year of the implementation of this Act, the
requisite fund shall be sourced from 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.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within thirty (30) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretaries of the DSWD, DILG, DOH and the Executive
Director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines
for the effective implementation of this Act. Provided, that Filipinos, both living in the
Philippines and abroad, who are at least eighty years (80) of age at the time of the approval of
this Act shall be entitled to the cash gift provided hereof.


SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with any provisions 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 later than seven (7) days after the approval hereof.

Approved,