Universal Social Pension to Senior Citizen

Senate Offiep of the curretaup TWENTIENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 SEP 23 P12:34 SENATE RECENED BY: S. No. 1400 Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE A. VILLAR AN ACT GRANTING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 9 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms the duty of the State to foster a just and dynamic social order aimed at ensuring national prosperity and independence. This includes freeing the Filipino people from the grips of poverty through strategic policies that provide adequate social services, create employment opportunities, and raise the standard of living and overall quality of life for all. In addition, Article XV, Section 4 recognizes the family's primary responsibility to care for its elderly members. However, it also empowers the State to step in through equitable and just programs of social welfare and security, especially when families are unable to fulfill this duty on their own. The Philippines is steadily transitioning into an aging society. By 2030, the number of Filipinos aged 60 and above is projected to reach 13.2 million, accounting for roughly 11% of the national population. This demographic shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity for social policy to evolve in response to the needs of the elderly.

While some senior citizens are fortunate to receive pensions or have sufficient resources to sustain themselves, a significant number continue to live in hardship. Many are forced to remain in the workforce just to afford basic necessities for themselves and, in some cases, for their families as well. This reality underscores the urgent need for a robust, inclusive social protection system for the elderly. In response to this, the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program was launched through Republic Act No. 9994 or the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010" granting indigent senior citizens monthly stipend of PhP500.00. In January 2024, the monthly stipend was increased to PhP1,000.00 under Republic Act No. 11916 also known as "An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Senior Citizens". Building on this effort, the proposed legislation seeks to establish a universal social pension that standardizes the monthly financial assistance to all senior citizens, irrespective of their income or economic status. Under the bill, indigent senior citizens will receive a monthly stipend of PhP1,500.00, while non-indigent senior citizens will be granted PhP1,000.00, which will be increased to PhP1,500.00 after five years of implementation. This proposed universal pension serves as both a form of economic empowerment and social protection for older Filipinos. With the escalating cost of living and rising prices of medicines and daily essentials, this support will help them achieve a measure of financial stability and independence in their later years. More than just monetary assistance, the measure promotes social inclusion and helps restore dignity among the elderly, many of whom have spent a lifetime contributing to society. Ensuring that they are not left behind in their twilight years is not only a moral obligation but a constitutional one. As the country faces the realities of an aging population, it is imperative to adopt policies that reflect our collective commitment to inclusive growth and compassionate governance.

The proposed Universal Social Pension Act is a vital step toward safeguarding the welfare of senior citizens and ensuring they live their remaining years in security and dignity. In light of the foregoing, the swift passage of this measure is earnestly urged. CAMILLE A. VILLAR

Senate Offior of th Betray TWENTIENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 23 P12:34 SENATE RECEIVED BY. S. No. 1400 Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE A. VILLAR AN ACT GRANTING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ]

Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further

amended to read as follows: "SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined 5 as follows: "(a) xxx XXX "(i) Pension Provider refers to any government office or agency, or any private entity which provides pensions to entitled recipients on the basis of contributions, gratuity, or as mandated by any governing law or issuance, including the Social Security System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Pension and Gratuity Management Center (PGMC), AMONG OTHERS; and "(j) UNIVERSAL Social Pension refers to [the] A NON-CONTRIBUTORY 14 MONTHLY monetary grant from the government to support the daily subsistence and

medical needs of senior citizens [which shall not be less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month]".

Sec. 2. Section 5(h)(1) of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further

amended to read as follows: "SEC. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide the following: "(a) xxx XXX "(h) Additional Government Assistance "(1) [Mandatory] UNIVERSAL Social Pension (A) Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to [not less than] AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P1,500.00) [One thousand pesos (P1,000.00)] to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs [of senior citizens]. (B) SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE PREVIOUSLY NOT CONSIDERED AS INDIGENTS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY STIPEND AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) UPON THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, THAT WITHIN FIVE (5) YEARS ALL SENIOR CITIZENS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION EQUIVALENT TO A MONTHLY STIPEND OF AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P1,500.00) REGARDLESS OF ANY OTHER PENSION BENEFITS THEY MAY RECEIVE FROM OTHER PENSION PROVIDERS: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT ANY SENIOR CITIZEN MAY WAIVE THIS UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION. [The DSWD shall, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with other stakeholders, review and, when necessary, adjust the amount of the social pension every two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act, taking into account the present consumer price index

as published by the PSA and relevant economic indicators, as reported and published by pertinent government agencies and authorities.] "THE DSWD SHALL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM), AS WELL AS OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, REVIEW AND IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION EVERY THREE (3) YEARS AFTER THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND RELEVANT ECONOMIC INDICATORS, AS REPORTED AND PUBLISHED BY PERTINENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES: PROVIDED, THAT THE SOCIAL PENSION SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT INITIALLY SPECIFIED IN THIS ACT." "X XX. "

Sec. 3. Appropriations. - The universal social pension for senior citizens shall

be added to the regular appropriations of the DSWD in the General Appropriations Act, and thereafter, to the National Commission of Senior Citizens, upon full transfer of the implementation, distribution, and management of the social pension.

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the

effectivity of this Act, the NCSC shall, in consultation with the DSWD, DBM and other concerned government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations and 23 people's organizations of senior citizens duly accredited by the DSWD, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act

31 Nos. 9257 and 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010" 32 and Republic Act No. 11916 are hereby amended. All other laws, ordinances, orders,

rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 2 Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. Approved,