NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
2854
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
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
There is no debate that our country's elderly sector deserves the care and 
concern that the State can afford them. This is in recognition of the contributions and 
inputs they impacted in the prime of their lives.
There have been numerous laws enacted to promote the welfare of senior 
citizens in the country. This is proof that the State is committed to further the well­
being of our elderly sector.
This proposed measure is the States message, loud and clear, of its faithfulness 
to its commitment to protect the rights and uphold the welfare of our senior citizens 
on whose contributions, much of our country's triumphs have been achieved.
With a profound understanding of their susceptibility to risk factors that 
endanger their health and social security, this bill seeks to provide social pension to 
all senior citizens, regardless of social status. By virtue of Republic Act No. 7432, 
entitled "An Act to Maximize The Contribution Of Senior Citizens To Nation-Building, 
Grant Benefits And Special Privileges, And For Other Purposes", As Amended, indigent 
senior citizens are given a monthly stipend in the amount of Five Hundred Pesos (Php


500). This was increased to One Thousand Pesos (Php 1000) through the enactment 
of Republic Act No. 11916 last July 2021,
If enacted into law, all senior citizens will be entitled to the social pension. This 
social protection program of the government will not anymore be limited to the 
indigent portion of the sector, but will also be accessible and available to all lolos and 
lolas.
When the social pension becomes universal, one of the possible gains will be 
the elimination of targeting errors. This is because all of the senior citizens will be 
covered. Eligibility criteria is very transparent and is very easy to understand. Another 
benefit is it may provide security for low-income informal sector workers who may not 
be covered in the indigent portion of the sector. These possible gains are put forward 
by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc.
While we wish that no Filipino senior citizen will be left behind in terms of 
financial support from the government, this proposal included a provision that still 
gives priority to the indigent portion of the sector. This is in recognition of their 
vulnerability to economic shocks.
In light of our commitment to promote welfare of the senior citizen sector, 
consideration and approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMON ^NG REVILLA, 3R.fU


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2854
2- OCT 21
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
GRANTING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED. 
ENTITLED MAN 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 House of Representatives of the Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further
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amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 2 Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these
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terms are defined as follows:
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"(a) XXX
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Xxx
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"(j) UNIVERSAL Social Pension refers to 
[the] 
A NON-
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CONTRIBUTORY 
MONTHLY monetary grant 
from 
the
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government to support the daily subsistence and medical needs
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of senior citizens [which shall not bo less than One thousand
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pesos (P1,000.00) per month]."
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Sec. 2. Section 5(h)(1) of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further
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amended to read as follows:


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"Sec. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide 
the following:
"(a) XXX
XXX
(h) Additional Government Assistance 
(1) [Mandatory] UNIVERSAL Social Pension
A. Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly 
stipend amounting to [not less than] AT LEAST One 
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to augment theIR daily 
subsistence and other medical needs [of senior citizens].
B. SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS 
INDIGENT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY 
STIPEND AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST FIVE 
HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) UPON THE 
EFFECnVITY OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, THAT THE 
RECEIPT OF THIS PENSION IS WITHOUT 
PREJUDICE TO WHATEVER THE SENIOR CITIZEN 
IS RECEIVING FROM OTHER PENSION 
PROVIDERS;
[The DSWD shall, subject to the approval of the Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with other 
stakehoiders, review and, when necessary, adjust the amount 
of the social pension every two (2) years after the effectivity 
of this Act, taking into account the present consumer price 
index as published by the PSA and relevant economic 
indicators, as reported and published by pertinent government 
agencies and authorities.]
"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


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SOCIAL PENSION EVERY TWO (2) YEARS UPON THE 
EFFECnVTTY 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 IN 
THE EVENT OF INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL 
PENSION, THE INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS ARE 
GIVEN UTMOST PRIORITY.
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IN THE EVENT OF 
INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL PENSION, THE 
INDIGENT SENIORS SHALL BE PRIORITIZED
Sec. 2. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the implementation of this 
Act shall be added to the regular appropriations of the DSWD, in the General 
Appropriations Act (GAA), and thereafter, to the National Commission of Senior 
Citizens, upon full transfer of the implementation, distribution and management of the 
social pension.
Sec. 3. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the National Commission of Senior 
Citizens, in coordination with the DSWD shall formulate and adopt amendments to the 
existing rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 11916 to carry out the 
provisions of this Act, in consultation with other relevant agencies and stakeholders.
Sec. 4. Separabiiity Ciause. - if any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect.


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Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act
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Nos. 9257 and 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010"
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and Republic Act No. 11916 are hereby amended. All other laws, decrees, orders, and
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issuances or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
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are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,