A measure doubling the amount of monthly social pension being received by indigent senior citizens has lapsed into law.
In a letter to Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri dated Monday, Aug. 1, Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez said Republic Act (RA) No. 11916 already lapsed into law on July 30, thus raising the monthly pension of indigent seniors from P500 to P1,000.
Senator Joey Villanueva, who filed the measure, said it was a "happy birthday indeed" for him. Villanueva celebrated his birthday on Aug. 2.
In filing the measure, Villanueva lamented that the monthly pension that the beneficiaries previously received was not enough.
According to the law, the monthly stipend must be released either in cash or direct remittance through a service provider.
But any transaction or service fee arising from the withdrawal of the assistance must not be charged against the beneficiaries, the law added.