Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

6454

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Senior citizens have contributed to the development and growth of the country. But, they
face economic insecurity and challenges in securing a job or maintaining their income
because of old age or iliness. Without a steady source of income, they often rely on their
pension for survival. However, most senior citizens do not have any access to pension
funds, which makes it difficult to pay for basic necessities

‘Statistics show there is an estimated 6.8 million senior citizen in the country in 2010. The
‘National Statistics Officer projects that by 2030, senior citizens will comprise 11.5% of the
population, According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, nearly a third
or 31.4% of older people were living in poverty in 2000.' Evidence show that providing social
pension for senior citizens will help decrease poverty rate, with a bigger impact depending
‘on the amount of pension fund provided.?

This bill seeks to address this gap by ensuring that senior citizens who do not secely
form of pension are provided financial assistance by the government. It is

that this amount will help lessen the burden, provide vigor to the social j46t
Constitution, and will help uplift millions of senior citizens out of poverty,

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is most e

* Coalition for the Services of the Eiderly, 2006 as cited in Ageing Population in the Philippines, available at
hittp:/ageingasia.org/ageing-popuiation-philippines!

Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) 2013, as published in https/Awww.rappler.com/nation/161836-
universal-social-pension-senior-citizens-poverty-study


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6454

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING SOCIAL PENSION FUND FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Social Pension Fund for Senior
Citizens’

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State to 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, and rising standard of living and an improved quality of life. Further, Article II,
Section 10 and 11 of the Constitution provides that the State shall promote social justice in
all phases of national development and the State values the dignity of every human person
and guarantees full respect for human rights.

Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that 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.

SEC. 3. Section 5 (h) (1) of Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded
Senior Citizens Act of 2010" is hereby amended as follows:

“SEC. 5. Government Assistance - The government shall provide the following:
XXX
(h) Additional Government Assistance

(1) Social Pension


Indigent—-Senior citizens, WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING ANY PENSION FROM THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM,
AND OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM, shall be entitled to a
monthly stipend amounting to Five hundred pesos (Php 500.000) to augment the daily
Subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens, subject to review every two (2)
years by Congress, in consultation with DSWD."

XXX

SEC. 4. Every two years, the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall submit a
report to Congress on the implementation of the provisions of this law. The DSWD will
Provide recommendation on the appropriate amount of pension based on inflation and
economic growth

‘SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall
be sourced from the funds of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
(PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office PCSO).

SEC. 6. Separability Clause, — \f any provision or section of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, or issuances,
of any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
‘amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,