NANCY COMMENDS PASSAGE OF CENTENARIAN LAW
Measure grants 100 year olds additional benefits

Senator Nancy Binay lauded the passage of a law honoring centenarians and giving them additional benefits.

"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Pangulong Aquino sa kanyang pagkilala at pagrespeto sa mga naging kontribusyon ng mga centenarians," Binay said.

Binay, sponsor of the measure and chairperson of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, said that that Filipinos have a culture of taking care and providing for the elderly.

"Ito po ang isa sa mga napakahalaga, napakaganda at kakaibang katangian nating mga Pilipino," the lady senator said.

President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act no. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 last June 23.

The law grants all 100 year old Filipinos, whether living in the country or abroad, P100,000.00 as a birthday gift and a letter of felicitation from the President.

Centenarians will also receive an additional cash gift and a plaque of recognition from their respective local government units.

The first Sunday of October is also designated as National Respect for Centenarians Day, as part of the annual Elderly Filipino Week.

Data from the National Coordinating Monitoring Board (NCMB) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showed that as of 2012, there was an estimated 7,000 centenarians. The agency told Binay that this may soon reach the 8,000 mark.

Binay said that with the law's passage, the country is recognizing the longevity of centenarians as well as what they have done for society. Article XV of the 1987 Constitution also states: "The family has the duty to take care of its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social security."

"The government is now recognizing our centenarians and providing them with the support that they need. Sila po ay buhay na patotoo na kaya nating mapagtagumpayan ang mga pagsubok ng buhay upang marating ang edad na 100 taon," Binay said.

"The gift is not only in recognition of their age but also a gift that they truly deserve for all their sacrifices and everything they have done for the society as well as their loved ones," the senator explained.

She added that the city of Makati started the giving of P100,000.00 as cash gift to centenarians in 2013.

Binay also urged the public to continue the Filipino trait of taking care of the elderly.

"Let us keep the unique Filipino trait of taking care of our elderly alive. Ipakita po natin sa mga susunod pang henerasyon ang ating paggalang at pangangalaga sa ating mga nakatatanda," Binay added.