19/12/2024
REVILLA WARNS NCSC – IMPLEMENT AMENDED CENTENARIAN LAW BY JANUARY OR ELSE
Senator Ramon B**g Revilla, Jr. today warned the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) of the possible consequences in case it fails to implement RA 11982, or the Expanded Centenarian Law, this coming January. Known to be a Senior Citizens’ Welfare champion, the lawmaker said the NCSC should start distributing benefits come the new year or else gain the ire of lolos and lolas who have been waiting for the benefit since it was signed into law in March 2024.
“Huwag magkakamali ang NCSC na hindi ito agarang ipatupad. Hindi naman nila sig**o idi-disappoint ang ating mga lolo at lola na inaabangan na ito since last March,” he said. “Sigurado naman akong ayaw nilang harapin ang galit ng ating mga nakakatanda,” the solon added.
Dubbed as “Revilla Law”, the Expanded Centenarians Act grants cash gifts to senior citizens who will receive 10,000 pesos each upon reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95; while the centenarians or those who will reach 100 years old upon the effectivity of the law will continue to receive a one-time cash gift of 100,000 pesos.
“Sinugurado natin na mapondohan yan sa General Appropriations Act (GAA) o 2025 National Budget. Nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa DBM para garantisado ang pondo. Now it’s in the NCSC hands to fully implement it and ensure that no lolo and lola will be left behind”, Revilla remarked. “Wala silang dahilan para hindi ito maipatupad.”
According to Revilla, “there are almost 200,000 senior citizens who stand to benefit under the law. We thus call on the NCSC to fulfill their obligations in ensuring that payouts are already ready and rolled out starting January 2025. They have already been given enough time and funding.”