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MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday called on the Senate leadership to pass its version of the bill that will grant a cash incentive of P1 million to a Filipino who reaches the age of 101.
He made the call after he met with Jungle Serrano, a 101-year-old member of the Aeta indigenous community, during his visit to their community at the Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga, on Tuesday.
“I hope the Senate will have time to either fast track final reading approval of the bill or simply adopt the House version when session resumes in May,” Pacquiao said in a press release.
The House of Representatives has approved its counterpart version of the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016. In its proposed measure, the government will release P25,000 to a senior citizen when he or she reaches the age of 80, 85, 90, and 95.
Pacquiao also called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to swiftly review applications for availing of the P100,000 cash benefit for centenarians as provided under RA 10868.
“Sana bigyan ng masusing pagtuon ang mga kaso na katulad ng kay Lolo Jungle. Malaking bagay para sa katulad niya ang cash incentive para sa kanilang medical needs and maintenance medicines,” he said.
(I hope they would give attention to cases like Lolo Jungle. A cash incentive is a big thing for people like them for their medical needs and maintenance medicines.)
“Mabuti na lang si Lolo Jungle ay walang karamdaman, ngunit bihira sa mga Pilipinong tulad niya ang may ganitong pangangatawan. Gayunpaman, dapat ibigay sa kanya ang insentibo para lamang ma-enjoy niya ang tulong ng pamahalaan habang naririto pa siya sa mundo,” he added.
(It’s good that Lolo Jungle is not ailing, but it is rare for people his age. They should be given incentives so that they can enjoy the help of the government while they are still here.)
Lolo Jungle, who has six children and 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, told Pacquiao that he has yet to receive benefits under RA 10868 because his case is still under verification.
Like many members of cultural minorities, Lolo Jungle’s birth records could not be confirmed from civil registry records.
While Pacquiao said he wanted to give Serrano his own money, he must abide by the election rules that ban candidates from distributing cash to voters.
According to the press release, he instead directed a senior staff member to follow up the centenarian’s case with the DSWD, saying that this assignment should be given priority attention.
“Nakikiusap ako sa DSWD na kung maari ay luwagan ang pag-assess sa mga kaso ng ating centenarians na nais makaranas ng tulong ng pamahalaan, Doble po ang dinaranas ng marami sa ating mga lolo at lola na wala man lang maipambili ng gamot para sa kanilang mga karamdaman,” the presidential candidate said.
(I am asking DSWD to be more open in assessing the case of centenarians who are seeking help from the government. Many of our senior citizens are suffering because they cannot buy medicine for their illnesses.)
“I was very happy with the time spent with thousands of our IPs (Indigenous Peoples) from Aeta communities in Pampanga. Malaking nabawas sa kasiyahang ito nang marinig ko ang problema ni Lolo Jungle,” he told members of his campaign staff.