Solon pushes for distribution of cash aid to elderly Filipinos by 2025
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) must ensure the efficient implementation of a new law that mandates the distribution of cash aid to elderly Filipinos who are turning 80, 85, 90 and 95 years old starting next year, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. said on Wednesday.
“There are almost 200,000 senior citizens who stand to benefit under this law. We thus call on the NCSC to fulfill their obligations in ensuring that payouts are already ready and rolled out starting January 2025,” Revilla said in a statement.
Revilla, the principal author of Republic Act No. 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act, said the cash assistance to the intended beneficiaries was sufficiently funded under the P6.325-trillion 2025 national budget.
He said his office was already coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management regarding the availability of funds for the law.
According to Revilla, there was no reason for the NCSC to further delay the distribution of cash benefits to senior citizens.
“Now, it’s in the NCSC’s hands to fully implement it and ensure that no lolo and lola (grandfather and grandmother) will be left behind,” he said.
“They should not disappoint our lolo and lola who are waiting for this since March. I’m sure they don’t want to earn the ire of our elderly,” he added.
Under the law which President Marcos signed in February, Filipinos would be given P10,000 cash upon turning 80, 85, 90 and 95.
It also retained the provision that sets aside cash assistance of P100,000 to seniors who reach the age of 100.
