By Tracy Cabrera
BATASAN, Quezon City — Knowing the hardships of senior citizens in surviving the crunch of their mature existence, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list representative Leila Norma Eulalia Fe Lima is pushing for legislation that would give earlier ₱25,000 cash benefits to the elderly who have reached 70 years of age already.
Under House Bill No. 9170, De Lima is proposing to amend Republic Act No. 11982 in order to expand the benefits and upgrade the cash incentives being given to senior citizens.
According to the sectoral lawmaker, although recognition to those elderly aged 80 to 100 has already been institutionalized, many of them do not reach the prescribed age to be able to avail of the benefits provided by law.
“Our existing laws rightfully seek to honor the Filipino elderly who reach the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 by providing them with cash benefits. However, most of our countrymen do not live long enough to receive these benefits,” De Lima explained
Under her proposed measure, senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive a ₱20,000 cash gift, while those 80 and above will be given ₱50,000, and those who reach 90 will be given ₱75,000.
The current law provides ₱10,000 only to senior citizens upon reaching 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old, while ₱100,000 is given to those who reach 100.
Based on reports from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), it stated that the life expectancy of Filipinos has been tagged at an average of 71 years. This has been supported by a World Bank study that indicated this at the lower age of 70 in the Philippines.
“Our elders deserve better service, protection, and support from our government and society through policies that are truly responsive to their needs and concerns,” De Lima pointed out.
She added that the government should facilitate a policy that would provide benefits to senior citizens while they are physically capable and alive to enjoy them.
ia/xf
