Republic Act No. 11982: A New Dawn for Filipino Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, and Centenarians
The Philippines has always been a country that values and respects its elderly citizens. This respect is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and tradition, and it is reflected in the country’s laws and policies. One such law is the recently enacted Republic Act No. 11982, which extends benefits to Filipino octogenarians, nonagenarians, and continues to uphold the benefits for centenarians.
The Centenarians Act of 2016
Before we delve into the new law, let’s take a quick look at the law it amends - Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as the “Centenarians Act of 2016”. This law grants all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, who reach the age of one hundred (100) years old, a cash gift of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity.
The New Law: Republic Act No. 11982
Republic Act No. 11982 amends the Centenarians Act of 2016 to extend benefits to Filipinos who reach the ages of eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety (90), and ninety-five (95). These individuals will each receive a cash gift of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). The grantees under this section shall be eligible to receive the cash gift within one (1) year from reaching these ages. The law continues to uphold the provision for centenarians, ensuring that they receive their cash gift and letter of felicitation upon reaching the age of one hundred (100).
Elderly Data Management System
To effectively implement the provisions of this Act, an elderly data management system recording relevant information on the persons covered by this Act shall be maintained by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). The NCSC will coordinate with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and local government units (LGUs) in the online registration of the beneficiaries of this Act.
Republic Act No. 11982 is a testament to the Philippines’ commitment to honoring and caring for its elderly citizens. By extending benefits to octogenarians and nonagenarians, and continuing to uphold the benefits for centenarians, the law ensures that more Filipinos can look forward to their golden years with anticipation and peace of mind. It is a fitting tribute to their contributions to society and a recognition of their enduring spirit.