By Charissa Luci-Atienza The technical working group (TWG) of the House special committee on senior citizens has approved a consolidated bill granting a P25,000 cash gift to senior citizens when they reach 80 years old, and another P25,000 when they turn 85, 90, and 95 years old; and P1-million cash gifts to centenarians who reach the age of 101, and another P1-million on their 102d birthday. In a virtual meeting on Thursday (May 14), the members of TWG of the House panel, chaired by Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Francisco Datol Jr., decided to consolidate the 21 bills seeking to amend Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016, and agreed that the cash gifts be granted in advance to the elderly upon reaching the age of 80. Under RA 10868, Filipino centenarians, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, are entitled to a cash reward of P100,000. "We have lowered down the age to 80 years old kasi nga bihira na 'yung 100 years old (because it is rare to reach 100 years old), and ang tumanggap lang noong nakaraang taon ay 400 lang eh, anlaki naman ng budget kasi niyan (and last year, only 400 received the cash reward, we have a big budget for that)," Datol told the Manila Bulletin in a phone interview on Thursday night. Datol said they agreed that cash gifts amounting to P25,000 be given to senior citizens who reach the age of 80, and another P25,000 be given when they turn 85, 90, and 95 years old. He said those centenarians who are receiving P100,000 under the law, will receive P1 million on their 101st birthday, and another P1 million when they reach the age of 102. "Kasi kokonti lang naman ang tumatanggap nun eh, kaya naman pondohan ng gobyerno 'yun," he said. (Because only few are receiving it, government can afford to fund it.) He said the early disbursements of cash gifts will allow the elderly to use them to buy medicines and augment their other basic needs and daily expenses at a much earlier age. He expressed his confidence that the majority of the House members will support the bill, which is expected to be passed on second reading "next week." "Kita niyo nga ang ABS-CBN , isang araw lang second reading, di ba? Kung gusto ng pamunuan ng Kongreso 'yan ay makakaya. Kasi ihahabol namin 'yan sa 2020, para sa 2021 gumagana na yan," Datol said. (As you have seen, the ABS-CBN was approved on second reading in just one day. If the House leadership wants it, it will be passed. We are trying to have approved in 2020 so that in 2021, it will take effect.)