LGUs to honor Filipinos who reach 100 years old

Patty Pasion

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LGUs to honor Filipinos who reach 100 years old
Filipino centenarians will receive a cash grant, among others, from their local government unit

MANILA, Philippines – Local government units (LGUs) must honor their constituents who reach 100 years old and above, under the newly signed implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law providing recognition to centenarians.

A plaque of recognition, a letter of felicitation, and a cash grant determined by the LGU should be given to centenarians on top of the gifts they will receive from the national government.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is tasked to monitor the compliance of LGUs by issuing a directive to local officials within 60 days of effectivity of the IRR of the Filipino Centenarians Act (Republic Act Number 10868), signed Monday, September 26.

RA 10868 prescribes that Filipinos who live to or beyond the age of 100 will be given a letter of felicitation signed by the President as well as a P100,000 cash grant. Deceased centenarians will also be given a posthumous plaque.

The law covers all Filipino centenarians living in the country or abroad.

For the first year of the law’s implementation, the monetary gift will be sourced from the available funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Subsequent funding should be detailed in the General Appropriations Act.

The DSWD has a proposed budget of P17.9 billion for social pension of senior citizens for 2017. 

Aside from material gifts, the first Sunday of October will be declared as National Respect for Centenarians Day, which will fall under the annual celebration of Filipino Elderly Week.

Legal basis

Former president Benigno Aquino III signed RA 10868 into law last June 27, a few days before his term ended.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, together with bill proponents Albay First District Representative Edcel Lagman and Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto, led the signing of the IRR in Malacañang.

To avail of the grants, Filipino centenarians must submit their birth certificate or a valid Philippine passport.

A senior citizen identification card issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), driver’s license, pension ID from the Social Security System or the Government Service Insurance System, postal ID, Professional Regulatory Commission license, and voter’s ID will also be accepted as proof of eligibility.

Applicants are warned that fraudulent claims are punishable “under the pain of penalty as provided under the Revised Penal Code, Civil Code, and other existing laws for that matter.” – Rappler.com  

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Patty Pasion

Patty leads the Rappler+ membership program. She used to be a Rappler multimedia reporter who covered politics, labor, and development issues of vulnerable sectors.