Septuagenarians--or Filipinos aged 70 to 75--shouldn't be left out in the cold when it comes to the law providing cash gifts for senior citizens who reached certain age milestones.

That's why Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima filed House Bill (HB) No. 9170, which sought to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 11982, which amended RA No. 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016" by expanding its benefit coverage.

If enacted, the ammendatory measure will establish a gradual progression in the amount of cash gifts for Filipinos from age 70 to 100. 

Aside from including septuagenerians as beneficiaries, the bill also increases the amount of benefits received by Filipinos upon reaching the ages of 80 or octogenarians, and 90 or nanogenarians. 

“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. Even when they do, they are often no longer able to fully enjoy them,” De Lima said.

“This measure seeks not only to honor our senior citizens by providing cash incentives for reaching milestone years, but also to provide them with the financial support they increasingly need as their capacity for work decreases and health complications increase with age,” she noted.

As envisioned in the proposed law, all Filipinos--whether residing in the Philippines or abroad--upon the age of 70 years old, shall receive a cash gift of P25,000.

Upon reaching the age of 80 years old, they shall receive a cash gift of P50,000. Upon reaching the age of 90 years old, they shall receive a cash gift of P75,000.

Moreover, all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, upon reaching the ages of 75, 85, and 95, shall each receive a cash gift of P10,000. 

RA No. 10868 was enacted on June 23, 2016. It provided all Filipinos who reached the age of 100 years a one-time lump sum amount of P100,000 in honor of the centenarian’s longevity. This was later amended by RA No. 11982 to grant benefits, in the form of cash gifts of P10,000, to all Filipinos upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95. 

In her bill, De Lima noted the report by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) published in February 2021 stating that Filipinos have a life expectancy of 71 years, as well as recent World Bank (WB) data placing the average Filipino life expectancy at 70 years as of 2024. 

Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average Filipino life expectancy as of 2021 is 66.4 years old overall, with 69.9 years old for females and 63.4 for males.

“Our elders deserve better service, protection and support from our government and society through policies that are truly responsive to their needs and concerns.

"Aanhin pa nila ang mga benepisyo kung hindi naman na nila ito mapapakinabangan? (What use will the benefits be if they can no longer enjoy them?)" De Lima asked. 

“Our senior citizens are already at the stage of their life where care and comfort matter most. Huwag na nating ipagdamot o ipagkait ang mga benepisyong kaya nang ipagkaloob ng Estado sa kanila bilang pagpapahalaga at pasasalamat sa kanilang kontribusyon sa ating lipunan,” she added. 

(Let us not withhold or deny the benefits that the State is already able to grant them, as a gesture of recognition and gratitude for their contributions to our society.)

It can be recalled that during her stint as senator, De Lima played a vital role – as principal author and sponsor – in the passage of RA No. 11350 or the “National Commission of Senior Citizens Act”.

It sought to guarantee the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of millions of senior citizens.