EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. B. No. 133
*19 
JU L -2  AIO'40
RECEi' 
t l .
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND 
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
While the Philippines is currently enjoying what is known as the demographic 
"sweet spot" or "window" wherein the size of the country's working age is relatively 
larger than its dependents, we are steadily transitioning into an older population. In 
fact, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) has projected that the number of 
senior citizens will surpass 8 million by the end of the 2018. Out of the 8 million 
elderlies, 5 million -  or 4.7% of the entire population -  are aged 65 years or older.
This estimate puts us closer to being tagged as an aging population since, 
according to the Commission, aging countries have at least 7% of their overall 
population over 65 years old.
In the next decades, the number of elderly population is expected to 
increase; therefore, the country has implemented safeguards to ensure that our 
senior citizens are taken care of such as Republic Act No. 10645, which gave 
mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all senior citizens, and Republic Act No. 9994 or 
the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 which -  along with the 20% discount and 
VAT exemption on medical-related expenses, transportation, food, and others -  
provided for social pension to our indigent senior citizens.
However, according to a study by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly 
(COSE), more than half of the country's senior citizens receive no pension -  whether 
contributory or social. Coupled with increasing health risks and the inability to find 
livelihood opportunities past the age of 60, senior citizens are truly in a vulnerable 
state.


The proposed measure intends to amend RA 9994 in order to a) increase the 
amount of social pension that our senior citizens are receiving from P500 per month 
to P I,000 per month, and b) widen the coverage of beneficiaries to include those 
without any form of pension. This will provide social protection to an estimate 78% 
vulnerable senior citizens.
In our intention to add another layer of safeguard, close the pension 
coverage gap, and recognize the efforts and contribution of our senior citizens, the 
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
1
01 iljc
*19 
JU L -2  A10--41
F;.:.
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND 
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act
2 
Nos. 9257 and 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
3 
2010", is hereby further amended to read as follows:
4 
"Sec. 2. Definition o f Terms. -  For the purposes of this Act, these
5 
terms are defined as follows:
6 
"x X X
7 
[ "(h) indigent senior citizen refers to any eldeHy w h e is frail; -siekly7
8 
OP with disability ,-and without pension or permanent souree ef
9 
income,-eompen5ation er financial assistance from his/her relatives
10 
to support his/her basic needs, os determined by the Department
11 
of Seeiai- Wclfore afid Develepm cnt (DSWD) in eensultation w ith
13 
"(h ) SOCIAL PENSION REFERS TO THE MONTHLY STIPEND
14 
OR 
MONETARY 
GRANT 
FROM 
THE 
GOVERNMENT TO
15 
AUGMENT THE DAILY SUBSISTENCE AND OTHER MEDICAL
16 
NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS
17 
THAN ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P 1,000.00) PER MONTH."


1 
Sec. 2. Section 5 of the same Act, as amended, is hereby further amended to
2 
read as follows:
3 
"Sec. 5. Government Assistance. -  The government shall provide
4 
the following;
5 
"x X X
6 
"(h) Additional Government Assistance
7 
"(1) Social Pension
8 
" [Indigent] ALL senior citizens W ITHOUT PENSION shall be
9 
entitled to a monthly [ stipend -amounting to Five hundred pesos
10 
(P500.QO)] SOCIAL PENSION OF AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND
11 
PESOS ( P l/000.00) to augment the daily subsistence and other
12 
medical needs of senior citizens[, subj ect to a review-every two (2)
13 
years by Congress, in consultation with DSWD].
14 
"THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL PENSION SHALL BE REVIEWED
15 
AND, WHEN NECESSARY, ADJUSTED OR INCREASED BY
16 
THE DSWD EVERY TWO (2 ) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY
17 
OF THIS ACT, IN  CONSULTATION W ITH THE DEPARTMENT
18 
OF 
BUDGET 
AND 
MANAGEMENT 
(DBM ) 
AND 
OTHER
19 
RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE
20 
VARIOUS NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS, THE NATIONAL
21 
INFLATION 
RATE, 
AND 
OTHER 
RELEVANT 
ECONOMIC
22 
INDICATORS, AS REPORTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE
23 
PERTINENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR AUTHORITIES:
24 
PROVIDED, THAT THE SOCIAL PENSION SHALL NOT BE
25 
LESS THAN THE AMOUNT IN ITIA LLY  SPECIFIED IN  THIS
26 
ACT.
27
28
29
30
"THE COVERAGE OF THE SOCIAL PENSION PROGRAM 
SHALL 
ALSO 
BE 
REVIEWED 
BY 
THE 
DSWD, 
IN  
CONSULTATION 
W ITH 
DBM 
AND 
OTHER 
RELEVANT 
STAKEHOLDERS, AND WHEN NECESSARY, ADJUSTED TO


1 
INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE RECEIVING BELOW BASIC
2 
PENSION.
3 
XXX."
4 
Sec. 3. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
5 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
6 
force and effect.
7 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
8 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
9 
repealed or modified accordingly.
10 
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
11 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of the general circulation.
Approved,