The signing today, 26 September 2016, of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Centenarians Act of 2016 (R.A. No. 10868) with President Rodrigo Duterte as keynote speaker hopefully assures the full implementation of the law.

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.

It also honors aging senior citizens who have served their families, communities and country for the longest period of time.

I was the principal author of the original Centenarian bill in the 15th Congress, which former Rep. Edcel “Grex” Lagman re-filed in the 16th Congress culminating in its enactment.

Under the law, every Filipino citizen who celebrates his or her 100th birthday shall receive a cash gift of P100,000.00 from the National Government in addition to the cash incentive from the city or municipality where he or she resides, the amount of which depends on the financial capability of the local government unit concerned.

The passage of the Centenarians Act brings to focus the socio-economic problems arising from an aging population.

The number of Filipinos aged 60 years old and above is expected to reach 10.25% of the entire Philippine population by 2025. This considerable number of elderly calls for the enhancement of national policies on senior citizens and the aging population.

This sizeable number of elderly demands a truly universal coverage of PhilHealth prioritizing senior citizens and the full implementation of social security for the aged.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that governments should pursue policies that would facilitate active aging, which include improving the quality of family life, social networks, economic independence and participation of the elderly in the affairs of the community.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN