Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 844

INTRODUCED BY REP. KRISTINE ALIXIE B. TUTOR
THIRD DisTRICT, BOHOL

Explanatory Note

Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution states that it is the duty of the family to
take care of its elderly members. Additionally, it is the declared policy of the
State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity
and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through
policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a
rising standard of living and an improved quality of life. Under the Declaration
of Principles and State Policies in Article II, Sections 10 and 11, it is further
declared that the State shall provide social justice in all phases of national
development and that the State values the dignity of every human person and
guarantees full respect for human rights.

While the Philippines is considered a young population, it has been found that
its older population is one of its the fastest growing demographic sector. Such
may be attributed to the increasing longevity of our elderly Filipinos due to the
continuously improving overall functional health of the whole population. Even
so, many of our senior citizens suffer from inadequate or even a complete lack
of earning opportunities due to ailments and other physical limitations, and,
sadly, an existing system of age discrimination in many places of employment.

Thus, extending pension coverage and increasing the pension itself is an
imminent priority especially for a country facing the impending challenge of an
increasingly aging population.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _844_

INTRODUCED BY REP. KRISTINE ALIXIE B. TUTOR
THIRD DISTRICT, BOHOL

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 as follows:
“(a) 0x
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


“G) UNIVERSAL Social Pension refers to [the] A
NON-CONTRIBUTORY MONTHLY monctary 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) wx
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 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 FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) 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 PESOS (P1,000.00)
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,


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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

TWO (2) 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. THE IMPLEMENTATION,

DISTRIBUTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIAL PENSION

SHALL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE DSWD TO THE NATIONAL

COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS (NCSC) WITHIN A PERIOD

NOT EXCEEDING THREE (3) YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF

THIS ACT.

“XXX”

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 ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the National Commission
of Senior Citizens shall formulate and adopt amendments to the existing rules and
regulations implementing Republic Act No. 11916 to carry out the objectives of
this Act, in consultation with other relevant agencies and stakeholders.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected shall
continue to be in full force and effect.


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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by
Republic Act Nos. 9257 and 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior
Citizens Act of 2010”, 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 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 a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,