Senate Advances Measure for Senior Citizens’ Welfare
Senator Risa Hontiveros has urgently called for the passage of a law granting a P1,500 monthly social pension for senior citizens to support their daily needs. This move aims to ease the financial burdens faced by elderly Filipinos, especially as healthcare costs rise.
During the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice and Rural Development, officials discussed Senate Bill No. 215, known as the Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act. The bill proposes amendments to the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (Republic Act No. 9994) to increase pension benefits for all senior citizens.
Addressing the Growing Needs of the Elderly
“The needs of our grandparents increase as they grow older, especially when it comes to their health. But many of them can no longer afford to buy their medicines. That’s why sometimes they choose to spend on food, water, or electricity instead of medicines,” Hontiveros said in Filipino.
She stressed the importance of providing a universal social pension, highlighting data from the Philippine Statistics Authority that reveals there are approximately 11 million senior citizens nationwide. Many suffer from chronic illnesses requiring maintenance medications, which are often unaffordable.
Honoring Our Elders Through Support
“Whenever it’s our grandparents’ birthday, we always wish them good health and a long life. But how can we help prolong their lives if they don’t have the means to buy their medicines?” the senator asked in Filipino.
Community leaders and officials echoed the constitutional mandate to care for the most vulnerable, including the elderly. Hontiveros expressed heartfelt gratitude to senior citizens, saying, “To our grandparents—you were the first to build the Filipino family, and you are the reason we have reached where we are today.”
Current Social Pension and Proposed Increase
Currently, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program, only indigent seniors receive a pension of P1,000 per month. This was increased from P500 in January 2024 following the enactment of Republic Act No. 1196 in July 2022.
The proposed bill seeks to expand this benefit, providing a universal monthly social pension of P1,500 to all senior citizens regardless of income status. Officials noted that this adjustment reflects the growing economic challenges faced by the elderly.
Looking Ahead
The Senate committee is expected to deliberate further on the bill to ensure that Filipino senior citizens receive adequate support to lead dignified lives. Community members expressed hope that the measure will soon become law, recognizing the vital role of elders in society.
For more news and updates on social pension for senior citizens, visit Filipinokami.com.
