SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )
SENATE

RECE

S.B.No. 1865

Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

While the Philippines is currently enjoying what is known as the demographic “sweet
spot” or “window” wherein the size of the country’s working age is relatively larger than its
dependents, we are steadily transitioning into an older population. In fact, the Commission
on Population (POPCOM) has projected that in 2017, senior citizens made up 8.2% (over 8
million Filipinos) of the overall population of the country. Out of the 8 million elderlies, 5
million — or 4.7% of the entire population — are aged 65 years or older.

This estimate puts us closer to being tagged as an aging population since, according
to the Commission, aging countries have at least 7% of their overall population over 65
years old,

In the next decades, the number of elderly population is expected to increase;
therefore, the country has implemented safeguards to ensure that our senior citizens are
taken care of such as Republic Act No. 10645,which gave mandatory PhilHealth coverage for
all senior citizens, and Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
which — along with the 20% discount and VAT exemption on medical-related expenses,
transportation, food, and others — provided for social pension to our indigent senior citizens.

However, according to a study by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE),
more than half of the country's senior citizens receive no pension ~ whether contributory or
social. Coupled with increasing health risks and the inability to find livelihood opportunities
Past the age of 60, senior citizens are truly in a vulnerable state.

The proposed measure intends to amend RA 9994 in order to a) increase the amount
of social pension that our senior citizens are receiving from 500 pesos per month to 1,000



pesos, and b) widen the coverage of beneficiaries to include those without any form
of pension. This will provide social protection to over 5 million vulnerable senior

citizens.

In our intention to add another layer of safeguard, close the pension coverage
gap, and recognize the efforts and contribution of our senior citizens, the passage of

this bill is earnestly sought.

SONNY ANGARA



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session ) 18 Wh -4 P5249
SENATE Rec. ft & __
s.B.No. 1865

Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE THEREOF

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

Congress assembled:

1 Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act
2 No. 9257 and Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior
3 Citizens Act of 2010”, is hereby further amended to read as flows:

4 “Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. ~ For the purposes of this Act, these

5 terms are defined as follows:

6 "xXx

7 Ca nent Snir zen refrs-to-ay-edery-who falsity,

8 or witha, nd_witheut—pension—erpermanent-source

9 son . hic tae .
10
il
2 Jonal-Coordinati itoring Board:]
13 “(h) SOCIAL PENSION REFERS TO THE MONTHLY STIPEND
14 OR MONETARY GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO
15 AUGMENT THE DAILY SUBSISTENCE AND OTHER MEDICAL
16 NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS

17 THAN ONE THOUSAND PESOS (1,000.00) PER MONTH.”



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FOV’ SNAUOEREORFSSSEURARERE SE

Sec. 2. Section 5 of the same Act, as amended, is hereby further amended to
read as follows:

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

"XXX

"(h) Additional Government Assistance

"(1) Social Pension

"[Indigent] ALL senior citizens WITHOUT PENSION shall be
entitled to a monthly [stipend-amounting—te-Five-hundred-peses:
¢P590-06)] SOCIAL PENSION OF AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND
PESOS (81,000.00) to augment the daily subsistence and other
medical needs of senior citizens[-sbject-te-a-review-every-twe-2)
years-by Congress; in-consultation-with DSWD].

“THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL PENSION SHALL BE REVIEWED
AND, WHEN NECESSARY, ADJUSTED OR INCREASED BY
THE DSWD EVERY TWO (2) 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.

"THE COVERAGE OF THE SOCIAL PENSION PROGRAM
SHALL ALSO BE REVIEWED BY THE DSWD, IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND
MANAGEMENT (DBM) AND OTHER RELEVANT
STAKEHOLDERS, AND WHEN NECESSARY, ADJUSTED TO


COON AUR WYNE

ES

INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE RECEIVING BELOW BASIC
PENSION.
"™ XX."

Sec. 3. 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. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the Provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of the general circulation.

Approved,