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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2541

Introduced by Representative Paul Ruiz Daza

Explanatory Note

Article XV, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “[t]he family has the duty
to care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social
security.”

Under this constitutional provision, the primary duty to care for senior citizens lies in
their family. However, recognizing the Filipino culture and tradition for filial piety, the State
may also do so through “just programs of social security.”

One such program is the grant of social pension to certain indigent senior citizens
provided for by Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise
known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

However, the monthly social pension of Php500.00 for the daily subsistence and other
medical needs of qualified indigent senior citizens is evidently too meager considering current
costs. Consequently, this bill proposes to increase it to Php1,000.00, provided such senior
citizens are “without monthly pension, permanent source of income or compensation of not
more than three thousand pesos (Php3,000.00).

Thus, the early enactment of this measure is urged.
wa

PAUL RUIZ) Aca


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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2541

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Paul Ruiz Daza

AN ACT
REDEFINING THE TERM “INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZEN” UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7432, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010, INCREASING THEIR MONTHLY
PENSION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Section 2, paragraph (h) of Republic Act 7432, as amended by 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 purposes of this Act, these terms are defined
as follows:

XXX

(h) Indigent senior citizen, refers to any elderly who is frail, sickly or with
disability, and without MONTHLY pension,[or permanent source of]
income, OR compensation OF NOT MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND
PESOS (Php3,000.00) [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.”

Section 2. Section 5, paragraph (h), subparagraph (1) of Republic Act 7432, as amended by
Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, is
hereby further amended to read as follows


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

XXX

(h) Additional Government Assistance

(1) Social Pension

Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to

ONE THOUSAND PESOS (Php 1,000.00) 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.”
Section 3. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and
other issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed modified or
amended accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15 days after its publication in the
official Gazette in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.