A House leader on Thursday asked the leadership of the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of a measure that seeks to provide elderly people a cash gift of P80,000 on their 80th birthday.
Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, author of House Bill 6137, stressed the need for Congress to expand the coverage of Republic Act 9994, or the Senior Citizens Act, by giving the additional monetary incentive to the country’s senior citizens, saying “it is a way to honor and praise them for their veritable contributions to nation building.”
“A community that cares for its elderly is one that is dynamic and abounding with blessings,” Castelo, member for the majority bloc of the House committee on appropriations, said.
Castelo said it is only fitting and wise to give back to the elderly who have offered so much and dedicated their lives’ work not only for the benefit of their loved ones but also practically for the general welfare of the community.
At present, there are more than six million Filipinos who are 60 years old and above.
Under the present law, senior citizens enjoy benefits and privileges such as the grant of 20- percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax on the sale of goods and services from all establishments.
The bill provides that the elderly shall also enjoy exemption from the payment of individual income taxes of senior citizens who are considered minimum wage earners as provided under Republic Act 9504.
Similarly, Castelo said senior citizens can avail of the grant of a minimum 5 percent discount on the monthly utilization of water and electricity supplied by public utilities, and free medical and dental services, among others.
Another law, Castelo said Republic Act 10645 or “An Act Providing for the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All Senior Citizens,” which was signed by President Benigno Aquino in November last year, grants all citizens who are 60 years old and above benefits and discounts extended to ordinary PhilHealth members by just presenting a valid identification card that proves their real age.
“While we have all these laws advancing the rights of the elderly, we should not stop finding ways to maximize the benefits they should be enjoying from the national government,” Castelo, chairman of the House special committee on Metro Manila Development, said.