Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill proposes a universal pension for senior citizens, regardless of whether they are 
indigent. It proposes a monthly minimum grant of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000) to all senior 
citizens, subject to review every two years, taking into account factors such as inflation and 
funding availability. 
Many low-income seniors cannot afford the annual checkups and maintenance medicines 
they require, let alone raise the necessary funds for treatment, even in government hospitals 
where fees are expected to be subsidized.  
A significant percentage of Filipinos cannot currently count on receiving a pension in 
their golden years. 29% of senior citizens receive pensions based on their previous working 
history, with an additional 17% expected to receive the social pension in 2016. Meanwhile in 
2017, the new administration allocated funds to cover 34% of the elderly. But when the coverage 
of these schemes is combined and followed, approximately 40% of Filipino senior citizens are 
still left with no pension at all. 1 
While there is already a social pension program for indigent senior citizens worth Php 
1,000.00, which has helped to bridge the gap, an increasing number of elderly people remain 
unprotected by this social safety net. 
A universal social pension, on the other hand, would close the pension coverage gap and 
provide a solid foundation for the development of the pension system. Finally, this would 
recognize the financial and other contributions made by senior citizens throughout their lives. 
Our elders today have contributed to the nation in a variety of ways throughout their lives, 
1 helpage.org/silo/files/the-feasibility-of-a-universal-social-pension-in-the-philippines.pdf 
August 8, 2022
2:40 pm
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including paying taxes, contributing to economic growth, and raising future generations of 
Filipinos. 2 
In view of this, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
2 https://www.helpage.org/silo/files/the-feasibility-of-a-universal-social-pension-in-the-philippines.pdf 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT GRANTING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by Senate and the House of the Representatives of the Philippines 
in  Congress assembled:  
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “The Universal Social Pension for Senior 
Citizens Act”.   
Section 2. Declaration of Policies. The Constitution recognizes vital initiatives that foster social 
justice and order, promote social services, and preserve social welfare. Be it noted that Article II, 
Section IX provides: “The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the 
prosperity and independence  of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that 
provide  adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living,  and an 
improved quality of life for all.” Furthermore, as expressed in Article II,  Section X: “The State 
shall promote social justice in all phases of national  development.” In addition, Article II, Section 
XI emphasizes the value given by  the State to the dignity of every human person and guarantees 
full respect for  human rights. Furthermore, Article XIII, Section XI provides: “The State 
shall  adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which  shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available  to all the people at 
affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the  underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, 
women, and children.” More importantly, Article XV, Section IV provides: “The family has the 
duty to care for its elderly  members but the State may also do so through just programs of social 
security.”  
Consistent with the aforementioned Constitutional provisions and principles, the policies stated 
hereunder shall form part of the declared policies of this Act:  
a) To extend support to our senior citizens by providing monetary resources of the government
to aid them towards a sustainable and decent living;
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b) To strengthen our shared duty in the promotion of basic Filipino values especially the 
rearing of the elderly people; and  
c) To further cultivate filial piety as a basic component of kinship and camaraderie between 
and amongst our people.   
In consonance with the foregoing policies, this Act aims to:  
a) Formulate programs and systems that will ensure propriety and uniformity in its 
implementation, through a comprehensive and inclusive  approach to senior citizens;  
b) Configure existing processes and procedures that will help provide orderly conduct of 
activities between and among senior citizens and their availment thereof;  
c) Establish norms and customs that will contribute to the development of a  just and humane 
society that recognizes and gives value to the  contributions and sacrifices of our senior citizens 
in and for our  communities; and   
d) Reduce the number of financially-challenged senior citizens suffering from lack of or 
unwanted retirement plans.   
Section 3. Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act, the following  terms shall be defined 
as follows:  
a) “Senior citizen” refers to an individual aged 60 years old and above;  
b) “Qualified senior citizen” refers to an individual, aged 60 years old and  above, who is 
eligible to receive the Universal Social Pension (USP), as  provided for in this Act; and  
c) “Universal Social Pension (USP)” refers to monthly stipends amounting to PHP1,000.00 
which are granted to qualified senior citizens, as determined and regulated by the provisions 
of this Act.  
 
Section 4. Qualifications. A senior citizen, who is a permanent resident of the Philippines, having 
resided for a period of at least six (6) consecutive months;  and with good moral character, as 
certified by a duly executed barangay  clearance attesting the same, shall be eligible to receive the 
Universal Social  Pension (USP); provided, however, that eligibility is not contrary to law or 
any  provision explicitly stated in this Act.   
Section 5. Universal Social Pension (USP). Any qualified senior citizen, as  further determined 
by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), shall  be entitled to receive the Universal 


Social Pension (USP). The USP, in the form of a monetary grant, shall be given to qualified 
beneficiaries on a monthly basis, in the amount of PHP1,000.00, and regulated by the provisions 
of this Act.   
Section 6. Implementation and Management Plan. The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD), together with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), in 
partnership with the Department of Interior and Local  Government (DILG), shall jointly formulate 
and devise application, evaluation,  distribution, monitoring procedures, and other implementing 
rules and  regulations of the program for the systematized administration thereof. The  Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall be designated as  the implementing institution 
that will promulgate rules to ensure compliance  and congruence with the purposes of and 
provisions provided for in this Act.  
Section 7. Waiver of Pension. Senior citizens may voluntarily file a waiver through the NCSC. 
Unclaimed pension fund shall be preserved by the DSWD  for the purpose of the succeeding 
section of this Act.   
Section 8. Undisbursed Fund. Undisbursed fund shall be divided  proportionally among the active 
beneficiaries in the last quarter of the year and  shall not be reverted to the National Treasury.  
Section 9. Funding. The initial required fund of the program shall be  determined by the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in  consultation with the National 
Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), sourced  out from the available funds of the Department 
of Social Welfare and  Development (DSWD). Funds, thereafter, necessary for further 
implementation  of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
(GAA),  subject to the accounting and auditing procedures of the government.   
Section 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances,  executive orders, 
proclamations, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or  any part thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby  repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.  
 
Section 11. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is held  invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall remain valid and  subsisting.   
Section 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its official 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of  general circulation.   
Approved,