Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the Senate approval on third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 2028 on Monday, September 25. The proposed bill, which was co-authored and co-sponsored by Go and was principally sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos, seeks to provide a lifeline to those who have reached the remarkable age of 80 years.

The House of Representatives has already approved the bill’s counterpart version last March 21.

Through the Centenarian Act of 2016, a P100,000 cash gift is extended to Filipino citizens who reach the age of 100.

However, recognizing that not everyone reaches the milestone of a century, Go and his fellow lawmakers have championed the cause of those who make it to 80 and 90 years old.

benefit is given at a time when health interventions would have mattered for a better chance of healing and achieving better health outcomes.” Go said as he stressed the importance of extending this generosity to those who may not reach the centenarian mark but are nevertheless deserving of recognition and support.

“Suportado ko ang anumang hakbang na magpapabuti pa lalo sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga senior citizens. Tayong mga Pilipino ay napaka family-oriented natin,” he added.

Go said this financial assistance will go a long way in ensuring that elderly citizens live a dignified and comfortable life during their golden years. Moreover, this bill not only acknowledges the substantial contributions of senior citizens but also aligns with the government's commitment of creating a society that values and uplifts its elderly population.

“Kilalanin natin ang ating mga senior citizen dahil malaking sakripisyo ang ginawa nila noon upang maitaguyod ang kanilang mga pamilya. Suklian natin ng pagmamahal at pag-aaruga sa kanilang pagtanda,” urged Go.

“Bilang isa sa mga vulnerable groups, kailangan ng mga matatanda natin ang tulong at suporta ng pamahalaan. Kaya itong cash gift ay sigurado akong malaking tulong ito sa kanila,” he added.

Go also co-authored Republic Act No. 11916, which amends RA 7432 by increasing the monthly pension allowance for senior citizens from P500 to P1,000. The amendment is designed to provide increased assistance for their essential needs and healthcare expenses.

Under the law, the monthly stipend shall be released to qualified beneficiaries in the form of cash, direct remittance, electronic transfer, or other modes of delivery, whichever is more convenient to the beneficiary. Furthermore, transaction or service fees upon release of the allowances to target beneficiaries shall be waived.

"Palagi po natin unahin ang kapakanan ng ating mga mahihirap na kababayan lalo na po ang mga nakakatanda. Malapit po kami ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte sa mga senior citizens, kaya alam po natin kung gaano kahalaga na mabigyan sila ng suporta at atensyon,” emphasized Go.

“Ako naman po, asahan niyo po na patuloy ko pong uunahin ang kapakanan ng ating mga nangangailangan tulad ng senior citizens. Kaya naman po patuloy din po akong susuporta sa mga programa para sa ikabubuti ng buhay ng ating mga nakakatanda,” he vowed. (PR/Office of Sen. Bong Go)