House Speaker Martin Romualdez took up the cudgels for senior citizens nationwide amid uncertainty on where to draw funds for the Expanded Centenarian Act , also called Republic Act 11982, by backing a proposal to tap “existing resources.”
The law, signed by President Marcos on February 26, extends a P10,000 cash gift to senior citizens who reach the milestones ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95, and P100,000 for those who live to be 100 years old.
“I welcome the recent approval of amendments to the Centenarian’s Act under Republic Act 11982. This is a significant step in ensuring that our elders, who have dedicated their lives to their families and communities, receive the recognition and care they truly deserve,” Romualdez said on Thursday.
It can be recalled that House Committee on Senior Citizens Chairman and Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes recently proposed meeting the law’s funding requirement by drawing from line agencies of from standby appropriations.
“I agree that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should consider sourcing the necessary funds either from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) savings or from the Unprogrammed Funds of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” the Speaker said in reaction to Ordanes’ proposal.
“Given the relatively modest amount required and the urgency of delivering this benefit, tapping into these existing resources is both practical and feasible,” he noted.
Romualdez issued the call as the country celebrates “Elderly Filipino Week” on the first week of October.
“During this celebration of Elderly Week, let’s take the opportunity to align the legislature and executives’ objectives in getting the funding needed to roll out the additional benefits for our beloved seniors,” he added.
Romualdez said it is crucial that these particular seniors are not left behind and that the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are clear and comprehensive in ensuring that all eligible seniors receive their entitlements within the prescribed time frame.
“Our elders deserve nothing less than our utmost care and respect, and we will make sure that their contributions to our nation are duly honored,” he emphasized.
“Furthermore, I endorse the call to clarify the implementation of this law, particularly for those senior citizens whose birthdays fall between the date of the law’s passage and its publication,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) said that RA 11982 gives cash gifts to senior citizens as they reach certain milestones “in recognition of the celebrator’s longevity [and] for living a healthy and active lifestyle.”
It was explained that corresponding cash gifts are only paid when individuals reach the ages of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100.
“If they are 81 [at the time the law took effect], they will [have to] wait until they reach 85 years old [to get the cash gift]. The same goes for 86; they will have to wait until they turn 90,” an NCSC official explained.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Sufficient funding for expanded Centenarian’s Act a must—Romualdez”
