Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._2376

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION FOR ALL SENIOR CITIZENS,
PROVIDING FOR ITS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT BASED ON INFLATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution affirms that the State shall "prioritize the needs of the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children" and uphold their right to social
protection. In line with this, Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
2010” was enacted to grant additional privileges to elderly Filipinos, including social pension
for indigent senior citizens.

However, the current system is means-tested, with only select indigent senior citizens
eligible to receive the P1,000 monthly social pension under the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD). This exclusionary approach has led to significant gaps in coverage,
inconsistent implementation, and delays in the distribution of benefits. Many qualified senior
citizens are unable to access the pension due to outdated lists, unclear guidelines, lack of local
validation, and insufficient funding.

This bill proposes to establish a universal social pension for all Filipino senior citizens
to ensure that every elderly Filipino receives financial support in their later years. It also
mandates automatic inflation-based adjustments to ensure the pension retains its real value over
time.

This measure is important for several reasons:

© According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, a significant number of senior
citizens live below the poverty line or rely entirely on informal or unstable sources of
income. Many are no longer able to work due to health conditions but are still
excluded from government support.

‘© Means-testing often fails to capture all those in need and creates bureaucratic barriers.
A universal approach ensures equity, transparency, and administrative efficiency.

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© Many households are burdened with the financial cost of caring for aging parents or
grandparents. A modest but consistent pension can ease this burden and improve the
overall welfare of multigenerational families.

The primary beneficiaries of this bill are the estimated 12 million senior citizens in the
Philippines, including those who are currently not classified as indigent but still face financial
difficulties due to high healthcare costs, lack of retirement income, or family dependency.

Examples abound of the program's inadequacy under the current system:

© Senior citizens in rural barangays report not being included in the DSWD pensioner
lists, despite having no source of income.

© Some LGUs lack capacity to regularly validate or update the indigent lists, causing
many deserving seniors to be excluded for years.

© During public consultations, elderly constituents often raise that they have submitted
documents multiple times, only to be denied due to narrow definitions of “indigent”
or incomplete paperwork.

By making the social pension universal and inflation-adjusted, this bill provides a
dignified, rights-based approach to aging. It reflects the nation’s respect for its elders and
ensures they are not left behind in economic planning and social protection.

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

DRIAN SALCEDA

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2 376

Introduced by Representative RAYMO

ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION FOR ALL SENIOR CITIZENS,
PROVIDING FOR ITS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT BASED ON INFLATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Universal Social Pension
for Senior Citizens Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to recognize the
contributions of senior citizens to nation-building and to promote their dignity by ensuring
their right to social protection. The State shall ensure that all Filipino senior citizens receive a
basic level of income support through a universal, non-means-tested monthly pension.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. ~ As used in this Act:

(a) Senior Citizen refers to any Filipino citizen who is sixty (60) years of age or older,
whether residing in the Philippines or abroad at the time of application;

(b) Social Pension refers to a regular monthly stipend provided by the government to
qualified beneficiaries under this Act;

(© Inflation refers to the annual change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as officially
published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

SEC. 4. Universal Social Pension. — All Filipino senior citizens shall be entitled to a
monthly social pension in the amount of Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00), regardless of
income, civil status, health condition, or residency.

SEC. 5. Automatic Annual Indexation. — The monthly social pension provided under
this Act shall be adjusted annually to account for inflation, based on the previous year’s CP] as

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determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) shall issue the corresponding adjusted monthly pension rate every January, effective
for the same fiscal year.

SEC. 6. Implementing Agency. ~ The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) shall be the primary implementing agency of this Act. It shall be responsible for:

(a) Establishing a simplified enrollment and disbursement system;

(b) Maintaining a central database of senior citizens, integrated with the National ID
system and the Listahanan;

(©) Coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Philippine Postal Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, and accredited financial service
providers for payout mechanisms; and

(@ Submitting an annual accomplishment and audit report to Congress.

SEC. 7. Funding. — The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged
against:

(a) The annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), under a dedicated budget item of
the DSWD;

(b) Unprogrammed appropriations, if necessary; and

(© Other legally available sources, including sin tax proceeds or dividends from
government-owned and controlled corporations, subject to existing laws.

SEC. 8. Prohibition Against Double Counting. — The pension received under this Act
shall be considered separate and distinct from contributory pensions under the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), or private retirement plans.
No offset shall be made against existing retirement or contributory pension benefits.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with the DBM, PSA, and relevant
stakeholders, shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules,
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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