Republic Act 11982: Expanding Benefits for Elderly Filipinos
Republic Act No. 11982, signed into law on February 26, 2024, is a compassionate piece of legislation that expands the benefits provided to elderly Filipinos. Titled "An Act Granting Benefits to Filipino Octogenarians and Nonagenarians, Amending for This Purpose Republic Act No. 10868, Otherwise Known as the 'Centenarians Act of 2016', and Appropriating Funds Therefor," the law recognizes the longevity and contributions of senior citizens by providing financial incentives to those reaching significant age milestones before becoming centenarians.
Prior to this act, only Filipinos who reached 100 years old were granted a cash gift of PHP 100,000 under the original Centenarians Act of 2016 (RA 10868). Republic Act 11982 amends this by extending a cash gift of PHP 10,000 to Filipinos upon reaching the ages of eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety (90), and ninety-five (95) years old. The existing PHP 100,000 cash gift for centenarians is retained. This expansion of benefits acknowledges and celebrates the lives of a larger number of senior citizens.
Beyond the cash gifts, the act also mandates the establishment of an Elderly Data Management System to be maintained by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). This system, to be developed in coordination with relevant government agencies like 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), aims to ensure the effective identification, registration, and monitoring of beneficiaries for the seamless implementation of the law.
The enactment of Republic Act 11982 is a result of consolidated legislative efforts from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The law is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2028 and House Bill No. 7535, which were passed by their respective chambers on December 6, 2023.
Congressman Go was an author of House Bill No. 7535, one of the precursor bills to Republic Act 11982. His authorship signifies his commitment to advocating for the welfare and recognition of senior citizens. By pushing for this expanded benefits package, Congressman Go and his fellow authors aimed to provide tangible support and acknowledge the valuable role that octogenarians and nonagenarians continue to play in Filipino families and society.
The funding for the implementation of Republic Act 11982 is to be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, ensuring that the necessary budget is allocated to provide the mandated cash gifts and establish the required data management system.
Republic Act 11982 is a significant stride in enhancing the welfare of elderly Filipinos by providing expanded financial benefits to octogenarians and nonagenarians. The role of Congressman Mark Go, who authored the pertinent House Bill, was crucial in championing this cause and ensuring the passage of this compassionate law that honors the nation's elderly population.