Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 6298

Introduced by Representative Romulo “Kid” Pefia, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Caring for our elderly is a tradition deeply ingrained in our nation’s culture.
This care is embodied in no less than our Constitution. Article XIII, Section 12
provides that the State shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other
social services to people at an affordable cost. That the needs of the underprivileged,
sick, and elderly, among others, shall be prioritized. This mandate is further
bolstered by Article XV Section 4 which states that the family has the duty to care
for its elderly members, but the State may also do so through just programs of social
security.

According to the Commission on Population, as of 2018, there are 8,013,059
Filipinos over 60, constituting 8.2% of Filipinos. Of this group, 5,082,049 are 65
and older. This significant number of elderly citizens constitute a group that needs
additional protection from the State.

In a 2016 study published by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE),
at least 54% or over of the elderly population do not receive any pension at all.
Specifically, the said findings showed that 29% of senior citizens receive pension
based on their working history (SSS, GSIS, etc.) and that only 17% are social
pensioners at PHP 500 per month.

Republic Act No. 9944, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizen’s
Act of 2010”, was enacted to operationalize the ideal of social justice for our elders.
Although this landmark legislation has undoubtedly helped improve the quality of
life of our senior citizens, it may still be improved upon.


This bill seeks to expand the coverage of the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act
of 2010 by eliminating the unnecessary limitation of providing a stipend only to
senior citizens who are frail, sickly, or with disability, and without pension. It is clear
in our Constitution that the needs of our elderly shall be prioritized, not just those
who are sick and disabled. This bill aims to comply with the constitutional mandate
by providing that all senior citizens without pension shall be entitled to a social
pension of at least one thousand pesos to augment their budget for their daily
subsistence and other needs.

Our elders have cared for us in our youth and helped build our nation into
what it is today. It is up to the government to return the favor.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly

sought.

ROMULO “KIp® PENA, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. pe88

Introduced by Representative Romulo “Kid” Pefia, Jr.

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 No. 9257 and
Republic Act No. 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:

XXX

“(h) SOCIAL PENSION REFERS TO THE MONTHLY STIPEND OR
MONETARY GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO BE USED FOR THE
DAILY SUBSISTENCE AND OTHER MEDICAL NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS
WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 1,000.00)
PER MONTH.”

SECTION 2. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and
Republic Act No. 9994, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

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


“(h) Additional Government Assistance
“(i Social Pension

findigent}-ALL senior citizens WITHOUT PENSION shall be entitled to a monthly
{stipend amounting to Five hundred pesos PhpS00-00} SOCIAL PENSION OF AT LEAST
ONE THOUSAND (PHP note to & cae for e3 as subsistence and oa aoe
needs of senior citizens Subject

“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, INCONSULTATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM) AND OTHER
RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSUMER
PRICE INDEX, 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.

xx”

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

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,