The House of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading the bill gifting Filipinos who reach the age of 101 a cool P1 million in cash.

Garnering 257 votes, the bill improved on the previous law giving P100,000 incentives to those 100 years of age.

House Bill 7535 will also grant Filipino citizens P25,000 upon reaching 80, 85, 90, and 95 whether they are living here or abroad.

Those 101 years old will likewise get greetings from the president of the Philippines.

Through the legislation, the House “would like to honor our countrymen for their years of service to the country and for their discipline in ensuring that they live a long, healthy, and fruitful life,” said Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Of course, we also want our octogenarians and nonagenarians to enjoy this benefit while they still can without having to wait until 101 years old, so we also provided a cash gift for them,” he added.

National Commission of Senior Citizens is set to implement the measure when it formally becomes law.

Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said the new grant will not only help the centenarians’ families financially but also bolster the morale of the elderly.

There are an estimated 662 Filipino centenarians, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Aside from Ordanes, the other principal authors of the bill are Representatives Jude Acidre, Sonny Lagon, Daphne Lagon, Brian Yamsuan, PM Vargas, Toby Tiangco, Salvador Pleyto, Roy Loyola, LRay Villafuerte, Loreto Amante, Jam Baronda, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, Paolo Duterte, Migs Nograles, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Gus Tambunting.