Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2370

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
3" Congressional District, Camarines Sur

The welfare and dignity of our senior citizens are cornerstones of a just
society. While existing laws, such as Republic Act No. 7432, otherwise known as
the "Senior Citizens Act of 1992,” have provided benefits and privileges, the current
social pension program primarily targets only indigent senior citizens. Even then,
not all qualified indigent senior citizens are able to avail of the benefit under the
current program. This leaves a significant number of our elderly population
without direct financial support for their daily subsistence and medical needs,
highlighting a critical gap in social protection.

This proposed "Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act” directly
addresses this challenge by fundamentally amending Republic Act No. 7432. It
seeks to institutionalize a non-contributory monthly monetary grant for all senior
citizens, ensuring universal coverage through a phased implementation where all
senior citizens will receive the full pension within five years. To ensure its
responsiveness and sustainability, the pension amount will undergo regular
biennial review and adjustment based on economic indicators. Management of the
program will systematically transfer from the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)
within three years. Crucially, the National Government guarantees continuous
and full implementation, making the necessary funding a primary and mandatory
budgetary obligation included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The passage of this bill is paramount to uplifting the lives of our elderly. By
providing universal and sustained financial assistance, it will significantly
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alleviate the economic burdens faced by senior citizens, directly supporting their
daily subsistence and medical needs. This Act upholds their inherent dignity,
recognizes their invaluable contributions to society, and fosters a more inclusive
and compassionate social welfare system. It ensures that no senior citizen is left
behind, embodying the State's commitment to protecting and valuing its elder
population.

Therefore, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2370

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
3" Congressional District, Camarines Sur

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”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 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 Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to uphold the dignity and promote the welfare of its senior citizens, recognizing
their invaluable contributions to nation-building. The State shall ensure
comprehensive social protection for all senior citizens, particularly by providing a
sustained and adequate non-contributory universal social pension that supports
their daily subsistence and medical needs, thereby guaranteeing their well-being
in their twilight years.

SECTION 3. Amendment to Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432. Section 2 of R.A.
No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:


SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms
are defined as follows:

Pension Provider refers to any government office or agency, or
any private entity which provides pensions to entitled recipients on the
basis of contributions, gratuity, or as mandated by any governing law
or issuance, including the Social Security System (SSS), the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Pension and
Gratuity Management Center (PGMC), AMONG OTHERS; and

UNIVERSAL Social Pension refers to ANON-CONTRIBUTORY
MONTHLY monetary grant from the government to support the daily
subsistence and medical needs of senior citizens.

SECTION 4. Amendment to S Section 5(h)(1) of R.A No. 7432. Section 5(h)(1) of
R.A No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

SEC. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide the
following:

a) xxx
xxx

h) Additional Government Assistance

1) UNIVERSAL Social Pension

(A) ALL Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend
amounting to AT LEAST One Thousand Pesos (1,000.00) to augment
the daily subsistence and other medical needs.

(B) Senior Citizens who are previously not considered as indigents shall
be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to at least Five Hundred
Pesos (P500.00) upon the effectivity of this Act: Provided, that within
five (5) years all senior citizens shalll be entitled to a Universal Social
Pension equivalent to a monthly stipend of at least One Thousand
Pesos (P1,000.00) regardless of any other pension benefits they may
receive from other pension providers: Provided, further, that any senior
citizen may waive this Universal Social Pension.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (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 Social Pension every two (2) years after the full


implementation 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 the social pension shall not be less than the amount initially
specified in this act. the implementation, distribution, and management
of the social pension shall be transferred from the DSWD to the
National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) within a period not
exceeding three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act.

XXX.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The National Government will guarantee the
continuous and full implementation of the Universal Social Pension. All necessary
funds, covering the initial stipends (Section 4(A) and 4(B)) and the phased increase
to a universal P1,000.00 monthly stipend for all senior citizens within five years,
will be mandatorily included in the annual General Appropriations Act. This
funding, including any future adjustments, is a primary and continuing budgetary
obligation of the National Government, disbursed by the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) and, eventually, by the National Commission
of Senior Citizens (NCSC) upon full transfer of its management.

SECTION. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the National Commission of
Senior Citizens shall formulate and adopt amendments to the existing rules
and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 11916 to carry out the objectives
this Act, in consultation with other relevant agencies and stakeholders.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by
Republic Act Nos. 9257 and 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded
Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, and Republic Act No. 11916 are hereby amended. All
other laws, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations and other issuances or
parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended

SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,