Centenarians Act IRR signing lauded

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers from both houses of Congress, even from the opposition, welcomed yesterday the Duterte administration’s signing of the implementing rules and regulations of the Centenarians Act, which gives P100,000 to every Filipino who has turned 100 years old.

“The implementation of the Centenarians Act is a welcome development, as it pays homage to life and longevity even as a growing culture of violence and death besets the country,” opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay said.

Lagman was the principal author of the original Centenarian Bill in the 15th Congress (2010-2013), which his son, former Rep. Edcel “Grex” Lagman, re-filed in the 16th Congress (2013-2016), culminating in its enactment last June under former president Benigno Aquino III.

“(The law) also honors aging senior citizens, who have served their families, communities and country for the longest period of time,” Lagman said.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, who sponsored the law at the Senate, said he expects the benefits for the elderly coming soon with the release of the law’s implementing rules.

“Their contributions to society are big, the cost of honoring them is small,” Angara said in a statement. – With Paolo Romero