Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4112

“Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

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

Elderly Filipinos have long contributed immeasurably to the fabric of our
nation, upholding values, nurturing families, and enriching communities. In
return, it is our solemn duty as a society and government to ensure their dignity,
security, and well-being, especially in their later years. This initiative seeks to
advance this obligation by extending a safety net to all senior citizens, regardless
of their economic status.

At present, Republic Act No. 7432, otherwise known as the “Senior Citizens
Act,” and its amendments, including Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded
Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” provide certain benefits and privileges to the elderly.
The Expanded Senior Citizens Act introduced the social pension program, limited
only to indigent senior citizens who receive a modest allowance of Php 500.00 per
month. While this was a welcome development, it has proven inadequate in
addressing the growing needs of our elderly population, particularly as inflation
and rising costs of living continue to erode their purchasing power. Many so-called
“non-indigent” seniors still face hidden vulnerabilities, living with limited support
despite not qualifying as indigent under the strict definitions of law.

This proposed amendment responds to these realities by establishing a
universal social pension program. This approach removes the risk of exclusion or
error in targeting beneficiaries and guarantees that no elderly Filipino is denied
the dignity and protection they deserve in their twilight years.

In addition, a universal system provides efficiency and transparency in
administration. It removes the stigma associated with being labeled as “poor” or


“indigent” and treats all senior citizens as equally worthy of assistance from the
State. By extending this benefit universally, the measure enhances the self-respect
of our elderly, reduces social and economic inequality, and reinforces inclusive
growth that benefits the nation as a whole.

As a mechanism of social protection and economic empowerment, this
initiative will help senior citizens cope with the ever-increasing cost of living,
particularly with the rising prices of essential commodities. It will also provide
them with greater security in times of vulnerability, allowing them to live with
dignity and continue to contribute positively to their families and communities.

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

TA

Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4112

Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

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 the 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) xxx xxx

“(h) Indigent senior citizen refers to any elderly who is [frail, sickly or with
disability, and] without pension or permanent source of income, compensation or
financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, as
determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in
consultation with the [National Coordinating and Monitoring Board] NATIONAL
COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS (NCSC).

“(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 A NON-CONTRIBUTORY
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. 3. 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

[Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend
amounting to Five hundred pesos (Php500.00) to augment the daily
subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens, subject to a
review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the DSWD.]

ALL SENIOR CITIZENS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION
EQUIVALENT TO A MONTHLY STIPEND AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST ONE
THOUSAND PESOS (P1000.00) UPON THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT,
REGARDLESS OF ANY OTHER PENSION BENEFITS THEY MAY RECEIVE FROM
OTHER PENSION PROVIDERS: PROVIDED, THAT ANY SENIOR CITIZEN MAY
WAIVE THIS UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION.

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. 4. 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. 5S. 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. 6. 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.

SEC. 7. 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. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,