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JUL 08 2019

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No.__ 1565

introduced by HONORABLE ROMMEL RICO T. ANGARA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) has projected that the number of senior
citizens in the country will surpass 8 million by the end of the 2018. Out of the 8 million
elderlies, 5 million — or 4.7% of the entire population — are aged 65 years or older. This
estimate puts us closer to being tagged as an aging population since, according to the
Commission, aging countries have at least 7% of their overall population over 65 years
old.

In the next decades, the number of elderly population is expected to reach 11.7
million by 2025, and 22.6 million in 2045. Thus, to ensure the welfare of our senior
citizens, Republic Act No. 10645, which gave mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all senior
citizens, and Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 which —
along with the 20% discount and VAT exemption on medical-related expenses,
transportation, food, and others — provided for social pension to our indigent senior
citizens, were passed.

However, according to a study by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE),
more than half of the country’s senior citizens receive no pension — whether contributory
or social. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority 2015 Data, around 13.2 percent
of the senior citizens are living in poverty due to lack of job opportunities past the age of
60. Thus, extending pension coverage and increasing the pension itself is an imminent
priority especially for a country facing the impending challenge of an aging population.

This bill intends to amend RA 9994 in order to a) increase the amount of social
pension that our senior citizens are receiving from 2500 per month to 21,000 per month,
and b) widen the coverage of beneficiaries to include those without any form of pension.
This will provide social protection to an estimate 78% vulnerable senior citizens.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ROMMEL fico T. ANGARA
spresentative

Lone District, Province of Aurora


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

H. B. No. 1565

Introduced by HONORABLE ROMMEL RICO T. ANGARA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF

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 by Republic Act Nos.
9257 and 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, is hereby
further amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, these terms
are defined as follows:

"™ XX

"(h) SOCIAL PENSION REFERS TO THE MONTHLY STIPEND OR
MONETARY GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO AUGMENT THE
DAILY SUBSISTENCE AND OTHER MEDICAL NEEDS OF SENIOR
CITIZENS WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND
PESOS (1,000.00) PER MONTH.”
Sec. 2. Section 5 of the same Act, as amended, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:

“Sec. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide the
following:

"XX

"(h) Additional Government Assistance

"(1) Social Pension


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"[indigent] ALL senior citizens WITHOUT PENSION shall be entitled
to a monthly [stiperd-ameuntingte-fivetundred_peses{F566.66)]
SOCIAL PENSION OF AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND PESOS
(21,000.00) to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs
of senior citizens[-subject to-a- review every twe {2} -years by Congress;
ip-consultation with DSWD].

"THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL PENSION SHALL BE REVIEWED AND,
WHEN NECESSARY, ADJUSTED OR INCREASED BY THE DSWD
EVERY TWO (2) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT,
IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND
MANAGEMENT (DBM) AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS,
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF SENIOR
CITIZENS, THE NATIONAL INFLATION RATE, AND OTHER
RELEVANT ECONOMIC INDICATORS, AS REPORTED AND
PUBLISHED BY THE PERTINENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR
AUTHORITIES: PROVIDED, THAT THE SOCIAL PENSION SHALL
NOT BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT INITIALLY SPECIFIED IN
THIS ACT.

“THE COVERAGE OF THE SOCIAL PENSION PROGRAM SHALL
ALSO BE REVIEWED BY THE DSWD, IN CONSULTATION WITH
DBM AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, AND WHEN
NECESSARY, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE
RECEIVING BELOW BASIC PENSION.

Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Officia/ Gazette or in any newspaper of the general circulation.

Approved,