Expanded centenarian law set for signing

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is set to sign the expanded centenarian law tomorrow that would give P10,000 cash aid to the elderly for each age milestone and another P100,000 when they reach 100.

Under the measure enclosed in Senate Bill (SB) 2028 and House Bill (HB) 7535, Filipino elderly will get P10,000 when they reach 80, 85, 90 and 95.

They will still get P100,000 upon reaching the age of 100 as stated in the original 2016 law, or Republic Act 10868.

The National Commission of Senior Citizens is mandated to maintain an Elderly Data Management System to identify the eligible elderly, according to the expanded law.

“This was my promise to the Filipino elders and I’m proud to say that I fulfilled it. Finally, they will be given benefits even before they reach the age of 100,” Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. who first filed the measure in 2019 said.

The President will also sign the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, based on SB 2221 and HB 7325, that will address recurring deficiencies in domestic laws pertaining to the training and accreditation of thousands of Filipino seafarers.

Marcos had certified the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers as urgent.

The bill also guarantees the Philippines’ compliance with its obligations of ensuring that Filipino seafarers’ training, facilities and equipment are at par with the international standards and those set by relevant international conventions.

The Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act, which will also be signed, aims to expand the capacities of micro, small and medium enterprises to produce world-class products to boost exports. — Helen Flores