Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 9) — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill raising the cash gift for Filipino centenarians who reach 101 years old from ₱100,000 to ₱1 million.
House Bill 7535, which was approved with 257 votes, seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 that entitles all Filipinos who reach 100 years old and above to a ₱100,000 cash gift.
Former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo told a House panel last year that there were 662 Filipino centenarians in the country.
The proposed measure also proposes granting ₱25,000 to Filipinos who reach the age of 80 and 85 (octogenarians), and 90 and 95 (nonagenarians).
All recipients of the cash gift will receive a letter of felicitation from the president of the Philippines.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens will be tasked to implement the measure if it becomes a law.
The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for further discussion before it is submitted to the chief executive for his approval.
