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'Happy Christmas for Grandpa and Grandma Bill' filed; find out what it's about

Philippines | National

'Happy Christmas for Grandpa and Grandma Bill' filed; find out what it's about

By Ellson Quismorio

Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas has filed a measure that would grant a "Christmas bonus" worth P1,000 to indigent senior citizens.

(Thomas Kelley/ Unsplash)

Vargas has dubbed the measure, embodied in House Bill (HB) No.6693, as the “Paskong Maligaya para kay Lolo’t Lola Bill”, which roughly translates to Happy Christmas for Grandpa and Grandma Bill.

The rookie lawmaker filed it on Dec. 14, or 11 days before Christmas.

“Our senior citizens have contributed so much to our country and most have remained capable of supporting their families and grandchildren. This holiday season, let us grant the wish of our lolos and lolas to be granted more benefits albeit through a year-end or Christmas bonus,” Vargas said.

Those qualified for the bonus are the indigent elderly who qualify under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and the newly enacted Republic Act (RA) No. 11916 or the Expanded Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Act.

Under HB No.6693, elderly pensioners shall receive an additional P1,000 on top of their monthly P1,000 allowance under the Social Pension for Indigent Seniors program, to be paid before the 25th of December every year.

By filing the bill, Vargas noted that he is continuing the legacy and advocacy of his brother and predecessor, incumbent Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas, who is one of the principal authors of Expanded Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Act.

“Institutionalizing year-end bonuses for our indigent Filipino elderly is a way of providing better social safety nets and protection for our senior citizens and their families. In the spirit of giving, we must extend help especially to our lolos and lolas who need it now more than ever,” Vargas added.

Related Tags

indigent 000 elderly Christmas P1 Christmas bonus senior citizens 121822 happy christmas PM Vargas

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