NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
of tl}C §?•{' ft.trp
*22 JUL-7 P 3 *15
SENATE
S.B. No. 141
RECEIVCOEV.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
GRANTING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION TO ALL SENIOR CITIZENS, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Philippines, and in many countries around the world growing old is becoming 
one of the biggest economic challenges facing both the individual and society, as a whole. 
Based on the population projection of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of 
Filipinos over the age of 60 is set to triple in the next 30 years from 7.6 million in 2015 to 
22.6 million in 2045.1 As the population continues to age, the matter of securing a steady 
income to support the well-being of older persons becomes more relevant in addressing 
issues of poverty and inequality. Providing social protection for the elderly is among the 
universally accepted and proven approaches in reducing incidence of poverty and in 
narrowing the equality gap. Pensions also strengthen inclusive growth by spreading and 
sharing the financial demands of the aging population across society. The social pension 
currently received by our indigent senior citizens mitigates the financial difficulties they 
suffer on a daily basis by supplementing their budget for food and medication for their 
declining health. However, its overall Impact is limited by how the pension scheme is 
designed by excluding a large portion of vulnerable elderly, and by the measly amount of 
five hundred pesos the beneficiaries receive monthly.
A universal social pension for the elderly would likewise narrow the pension 
coverage gap. Our neighbors in the region, such as Thailand, Brunei, Timor-Leste and 
Vietnam are currently Implementing similar tax-financed schemes that cover all citizens 
of a specified age. Apart from strengthening the development of our existing pension 
system and narrowing the gap in our pension coverage, there are other advantages to a 
universal pension approach compared to the means-tested system we are currently using.
1 Philippine Statistics Authority, "2010 Census-Based Population Projections in Collaboration with the Inter-Agency 
Group on Population Projections".
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First, it is one of the simplest and most effective ways to guarantee that every senior 
citizen receives a pension. Without much room for exclusion errors, it ensures that all 
poor senior citizens will be covered. Second, it will provide substantial security for low- 
income earners in the informal sector. Third, since the criteria for eligibility is simple and 
straightforward, it reduces instances of corruption and clientelistic practices. Fourth, as 
the pension shall be viewed as a right rather than a dole-out, the dignity of the recipients 
is preserved. It is also a recognition of our senior citizens' life-long contributions to society 
by way of the taxes they have paid, their productive labor, and their efforts in raising the 
generations of Filipinos that came after them. Fifth, its universality shall gather a broad 
base of support not only from senior citizens but from other sectors as well. And sixth, 
the simple and uncomplicated criteria in considering eligibility make it cheaper to 
implement as administrative costs are lower.
A study on aging in the Philippines conducted by the University of the Philippines 
Population Institute revealed that over half of senior citizens live in households that have 
difficulty In meeting expenses. Another 40% say that their households have "just enough 
to pay for expenses'.2 Under such circumstances, pensions are often used in augmenting 
household Incomes and in developing the skills of the younger generation. Studies also 
show that universal pensions contribute to other development outcomes such as lowering 
the number of child workers, increasing school enrollment, and encouraging families to 
finance livelihood activities.3
Growing old comes with a variety of challenges, from physical to economic. And 
growing old in a country where poverty is prevalent, these challenges not only reinforce 
each other but are also glaringly magnified. By providing income security In the form of 
universal pension for senior citizens, we not only assist them with their basic needs such 
as food and health, and help prop-up low income families, It also becomes a tool to share 
the proceeds of growth across all of society. As a way of showing our gratitude to our 
lolos and lolas, it is but right for succeeding generations to ensure that they grow old 
with honor and dignity. And for these, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
EROS 1
RISA HONTIVEROS 
Senator
2 Cruz, Grace, Josefina Nativldad, Melissa Gonzales, and Yasuhiko Saito. "Aging in the Philippines: Findings from the 
2017 Philippine Study on Aging". Quezon City: University of the Philippines Population Institute, 2016.
3 Horn, David, Charles Knox-Vydmanov, and Aura Sevilla. "The Feasibility of a Universal Sodal Pension in the 
Philippines". Quezon City: Coalition of Services for the Elderly, and HelpAge International, 2017


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
141
ig..| senate
of t!)f
*22 JUL-7 P 3 *15
RliCliViiD Bv;
S.B. No.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
GRANTING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION TO ALL SENIOR CITIZENS, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
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Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Lingap Para kay Lolo at 
Lola Act".
Sec. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257, 
further 4 amended by Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior 
Citizens Act of 2010" 5 , is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, these terms are 
defined 8 as follows:
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"(I) 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.
Sec. 3. Section 5 of the same Act, as amended, is hereby further amended to read 
as follows:
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"(h) Additional Government Assistance 
"(1) Social Pension
"[Indigent] ALL senior citizens SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY


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SOCIAL PENSION OF AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED 
PESOS (PHP 1,500.00) to augment their daily subsistence and other 
medical needs.
The amount of social pension SHALL BE REVIEWED AND, when 
necessary, ADJUSTED OR INCREASED BY THE DSWD every two years 
after the effectivity of this act, in consultation with the DEPARTMENT OF 
BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM) AND OTHER RELEVANT 
STAKEHOLDERS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF 
SENIOR CITIZENS, 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.
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Sec. 4. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared Invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect.
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent 22 with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or 25 in any newspaper of the general circulation.
Approved,