Solon proposes P100,000 cash incentive for 90-year-old Pinoys

A party-list lawmaker on Monday proposed to bring down the age requirement for the receipt of P100,000 cash incentive and additional benefits and privileges for Filipino senior citizens.

Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza made the proposal as the country celebrates the Elderly Filipino Week.

During the day's plenary session at the House of Representatives, Atienza said Filipinos who have reached 90 years old should receive P100,000 cash incentive from the government. At present, only centenarians have that privilege.

"Kaya kung mamarapatin niyo, ibaba natin ang edad ng benepisyo. 90 anyos, P100,000 ang ibigay sa kanila. Gusto nating pakinabangan nila ang salaping ito," he said.

Atienza mentioned Republic Act 10868, which provides all Filipinos who reach 100 years old will receive a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines and a P100,000 cash gift.

He, however, noted that not many Filipinos receive such incentive as most die before reaching the age of 100.

"Kung mamarapatin niyo, ibaba natin ang edad ng mabibigyan ng pabuya. Ibigay natin habang sila ay buhay pa," Atienza said.

Citing his own research, Atienza said only about 2,000 out of the 3,900 centenarians in the country are able to receive the P100,000 incentive.

"Why? Marami sa kanila nakaratay na sa banig. Palagay ko pangkaraniwan ay 100 taon, nakahiga na. Papupuntahin sa munisipyo, hindi na makakalakad. Ayaw namang ibigay sa mga kamag-anak," he said.

Aside from this, Atienza also proposed to give senior citizens a 50-percent discount in airfare.

Senior Citizen party-list Representative Francisco Datol Jr., who delivered a privilege speech, expressed approval of Atienza's proposal.

"Handa po kami diyan at napakaganda para sa senior citizens ng ating bansa," he said.

Proclamation No. 470 series of 1994 declares the first week of October as the Elderly Filipino Week. —KBK, GMA News