Funding for pension of centenarians in proposed budget

The proposed 13.76 trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA or national budget for 2018) includes funding for the pension of centenarians and the full payment of the pension arrears for surviving spouses of deceased World War II veterans.

“For the second year in a row, we are funding the Centenarians Act by allocating 1189.5 million for a one-time cash grant of 1100,000 each to 1,895 senior citizens aged 100 years and over,’’ Sen. Loren Legarda said.

As chairperson of the Senate finance committee, Legarda is expected to shepherd the passage of the proposed national budget at the Senate plenary session when the Upper House resumes regular session on Nov. 1-3.

Legarda explained that under Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarian Law, Filipino citizens who are 100 years old and above would receive 1100,000 centenarian gift from the government.

The law was first funded under the 2017 budget, wherein 1100 million was allocated to provide the cash grant to 1,000 centenarians.

Meanwhile, Legarda said the Senate has also allocated funds for the full payment of total administrative disability (TAD) arrears for the surviving spouses of World War II veterans.

“Our war veterans have served our country well. It is unfortunate that they were not able to receive the benefits due them. We should now aim to provide the pension the government now owes to their surviving spouses, who also suffered during the war,” she stressed.

The senator said 11.647 billion has been allocated under the proposed 2018 budget for such a purpose.

Moreover, the amount of 130 million has been allocated for the construction of a veterans hospital in Mindanao.