Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4850

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipinos have an innate deep regard and respect for our elders. It is ingrained in our
culture as well as reflected in our own Constitution where it is stated that it is familial
duty to take care of our elderly. The State, in turn, provides for the protection and social
services of such a vulnerable group as the elderly.

Although valued and respected for their wisdom and experiences, the Filipino elderly
still encounter challenges to their daily living due to their old age. Legislated measures
have been provided by the State to provide for their safety and security. However, they
still face financial problems as they are unable to work for a living wage. With inflation
and rising cost of goods, it is getting harder for our senior citizens to live comfortably
as they can at their age. Financial support from pensions such as the Social Security
System or the Government Service Insurance System has proven not enough.

This bill seeks to lighten the financial burden of our elders by providing for a Universal
Social Pension for all senior citizens. It amends the relevant provisions of Republic Act
No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded
Senior Citizens Act of 2010" and mandates the provision of an increased pension of
Php 1,500. This is would apply to all senior citizens to augment their daily subsistence
and other needs. However, senior citizens covered by the SSS, GSIS, or Military
Veteran's pension will only be covered 3 years after the effectivity of the proposed Act
in order to help buffer the government's budget.

The approval of this bill, filed as a counterpart to Senator Poe's version in the Senate,
is earnestly sought

LUIS RAYMUND/MLRAY] F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4650

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE R.A. NO. 7432, AS AMENDED BY
R.A. NO. 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS
ACT OF 2010”

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

SECTION 1. Number (1), Paragraph (H), Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7432, as
amended, is further amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 5. Government Assistance.- The government shall provide
the following:
*(a) Employment
XXX

“(h) Additional Government Assistance

“(1) Social Pension

“[lndigent] ALL senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly
stipend amounting to [Five-hundred_peses {Php500.00)] AT LEAST
ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (PHP1,500.00) to augment
[the] THEIR daily subsistence and other medical needs. [of-senior



PROVIDED, THAT SENIOR CITIZENS CURRENTLY
COVERED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, AND THE
PENSION SYSTEM FOR MILITARY VETERANS UNDER R.A. NO.
6948 SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BENEFIT IN THE FIRST
THREE (3) YEARS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.

WHEN NECESSARY, THE DSWD MAY INCREASE OR
REVISE THE AMOUNT OF THE SOCIAL PENSION: PROVIDED,
THAT THE SOCIAL PENSION SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN THE
AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING
PARAGRAPHS.”

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this
Act.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,