House committee approves bill for social pensions for all seniors 60 and above

The House Committee on Senior Citizens has approved a substitute bill mandating the provision of social pensions for all Filipino senior citizens aged 60 and above.

This bill, which includes Representative Miro Quimbo's House Bill 1421, aims to expand coverage beyond only indigent seniors.

Currently, only indigent seniors receive a PHP 1,000 monthly stipend, and SSS and GSIS pensioners are excluded.

The new bill seeks to ensure no elder is left behind due to a narrow definition of indigence, as current SSS and GSIS pensions are often insufficient for daily and medical needs.

Representative Quimbo emphasized that excluding those who have contributed through taxes is discriminatory and unfair.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with other agencies, will be responsible for reviewing and adjusting the pension amount.

Implementation and management of the social pension will be transferred to the National Commission on Senior Citizens within three years.