Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3525
HOUSE BILL NO. __

Introduced by Rep. Diego “Nonoy” C. Ty

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We have gone a long way in our development as a nation. Though much is still to be
aspired for, it cannot be denied that we are now in better state, thanks to our elderlies
who have poured efforts in their younger years to nation building. For this reason, it is
only right and fitting that we give back to them in their advance years, especially that this
stage of their life is also one of the most challenging.

At present, Filipinos over the age of 60 account to 7% or 9.01 million of our total
population. This figure is set to triple in 2045 based on the population growth projection
of the Philippine Statistics Authority. While this can be considered as a great feat for our
senior citizens, aging also comes with it a lot of challenges. For one, senior citizens may
find it hard to get livelihoods that could support their living expenses. With old age, they
could also face health-related problems that could cost them a lot. Without the means to
defray the costs that comes with their advance age, our senior citizens are forced to rely
on family members who may also be struggling to make ends meet. A 2016 study by the
University of the Philippines Population Institute, shows that over half of our country’s,
senior citizens live in households that have difficulty in mecting expenses while another

40% say that their households have just enough to pay for their daily needs.

Given this, having pension is truly an indispensable means to lessen the burdens that
our elderlies carry. And this was then addressed through the passage of Republic Act No.
9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 that provides for
social pension amounting to P500 every month. However, as time progresses, this
amount has become insufficient given the economic adjustments that has also impacted
the cost of living in our country. Relative to this, the social pension allotted for the welfare


of our senior citizens should also be adjusted in terms of amount and coverage in order
to become more inclusive and responsive to their needs.

If passed into law, this bill would increase the social pension of our senior citizens
from the present P500 to P1, 500. Also under this proposal, all senior citizens who are
receiving a monthly pension of P3, 500 and below will be qualified to receive the
aforementioned stipend in amendment to the former provision that only grants such to
indigent senior citizens.

Our veneration to those who have come ahead of us and whom our generation owes
a lot, should not only mean showing to them our respect and appreciation. It also means
taking concrete measures that would ensure that they live off their later years with
security and dignity.

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

DIEGO c.
istrict, Misamis Occidental


aune

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3525
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Diego “Nonoy” C. Ty

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 2
AND 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010”

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, further 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:


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“(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 FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (PHP
1,500.00) PER MONTH.”

SECTION 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:
XXX XXX XXX
“(h) Additional Government Assistance

“(1) Social Pension

“[indigent] ALL senior citizens WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING PENSION OR
WHO ARE RECEIVING PENSION IN THE AMOUNT OF THREE
‘THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (PHP 3,500.00) AND BELOW FROM
THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), SOCIAL
SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS), AND PENSION AND GRATUITY
MANAGEMENT CENTER (PGMC) shall be entitled to a monthly stipend OF
AT LEAST [amounting to Five hundred pesos {Php-500}] ONE THOUSAND
FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (PHP 1,500.00) to augment the daily subsistence
and other medical needs of senior citizens, WHICH AMOUNT SHALL BE
[stbject to-e review] REVIEWED every two (2) years by Congress, in
consultation with the [DSWD] NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR
CITIZENS OR ANY AGENCY THAT SHALL BE SO DESIGNATED BY AN
ACT OF CONGRESS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NATIONAL
INFLATION RATE AND OTHER RELEVANT ECONOMIC INDICATORS.

A SENIOR CITIZEN WHO DO NOT NEED GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE TO AUGMENT THEIR DAILY SUBSISTENCE AND MEDICAL
NEEDS MAY OPT NOT TO CLAIM THE MONTHLY STIPEND. UNCLAIMED
SOCIAL PENSION FUNDS SHALL REVERT BACK TO THE NATIONAL
‘TREASURY AND FORM PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S GENERAL FUND.

XxX XXX XXX

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid

or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected 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 this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
its publication in Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,