The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill granting additional benefits for Filipino centenarians to honor and support them.

With an overwhelming 257 votes, the House approved House Bill (HB) No. 7535, which seeks to give special recognition to centenarians who reached the age of 101 years old, as well as provide cash gifts to nonagenarians and octogenarians without them having to wait and reach 100 years old.

Under the measure, all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, shall be honored with a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines and a “centenarian gift” in the amount of PHP100,000.

“All Filipino centenarians who reach the age of 101 years old shall each receive a cash gift of PHP1 million on their birthday,” HB 7535 read.

Furthermore, all Filipinos who reach the age of 80, 85, 90 and 95 years old shall also receive a letter of felicitation from the President “and a cash gift of PHP25,000 each.”

The measure mandates the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) to implement the provisions of this Act.

“With this legislation, the House of Representatives would like to honor our countrymen for their years of service to the country and for their discipline in ensuring that they live a long, healthy and fruitful life,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.

“Of course, we also want our octogenarians and nonagenarians to enjoy this benefit while they still can without having to wait until 101 years old so we also provided a cash gift for them,” he added. (PNA)