January 13, 2024 | The Island Observer | The Analyser | By Mike G. Jamisola
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has warned senior citizens to be aware and cautious over the latest proliferation of distorted information and fake news spreading like wildfire over social media on social pension and centenarian gifts to the elderly.
NCSC Chairman Atty. Franklin Quijano has issued a public advisory to warn the elderly about rumors and disinformation issues ranging from distribution of P1,000 monthly social pension to all senior citizens and most notably Senate Bill 2820,.
The distorted post uploaded by a vlogger named “maywardmommy” went viral on Facebook with 32,200 likes and 38,000 plus shares as of this writing, triggered a minor panic to many concerned senior citizens and the NCSC was flooded with many questions on its veracity.
Quijano, who has issued several public advisories of this nature, explained that Senate Bill 2028, or An Act Recognizing the Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, and Centenarians was passed by the Senate September of 2023 but has not been signed by the President, so it’s not yet a law, as the vlogger proudly proclaims.
Senate Bill 2028 seeks to expand the Centenarians Act Under the bill, 80-year-olds, 85-year-olds, 90-year-olds and 95-year olds will be given ₱10,000 and ₱100,000 for the 100 year-olds but until Pres. Bongbong Marcos sign it and the Department of Budget (DBM) funds it – SB2820 will not take effect yet.
The vlogger “maywardmommy” also wrongfully said in a reel, she shared on Facebook that all senior citizens shall receive P1,000 (indigent or not) starting January 2024 to which Atty. Quijano reacted.
The NCSC chief clarified that indigent senior citizens are those who are frail, sickly or with a disability, and without pension or permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from [their] relatives to support their basic needs,
He added that the distribution of social pension for the elderly is still being handled by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pending the transfer of duties and responsibilities of senior citizens as mandated by law.
Reacting to the vlogger, NCSC Comm. Reymar Mansilungan said the vlogger is a not only a peddler of fake news and false information but is also ignorant by branding SB2820 as RA2820 and proclaiming that all senior citizens (indigent or not) shall receive 1,000 social per month starting January 2024.
He added that pending the passage of SB2820 into law, centenarians are still entitled to a ₱100,000 cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the president congratulating the celebrant for their longevity, in accordance with Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.
Caption 1: NCSC Chairman Atty. Franklin Quijano | Caption 2: The shared reel captured on Facebook