(MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives has unanimously passed on third and final reading a measure granting universal social pension worth no less than P500 to senior citizens. 

Approved in plenary session Tuesday night, May  21 on the strength of 232 affirmative votes was House Bill (HB) No.10423, or rhe proposed Act granting social pension to senior citizens. The bill received no negative votes or abstentions. 

It seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No.7432, as amended, titled "An Act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grants benefits and special privileges and for other purposes. 

Section 1 of HB No.10423 futher amends Section  2 of RA No.7432, as amended, specifically to mention the monthly stipend under the provisions of "government assistance". 

"Senior citizens who are previously not considered as indigent shall be entitled to [a] monthly stipend amounting to at least five hundred pesos (P500.00) upon the effectivity of this Act," the measure read. 

"Provided, that within five (5) years all senior citizens shall be entitled to a universal social pension equivalent to a monthly stipend of at least one thousand (P1,000) 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," it added. 

Indigent senior citizens are already receiving a P1,000 monthly social pension. 

The measure says that 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. 

"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," it added. 

The universal social pension for senior citizens shall be added to the regular appropriations of the DSWD in the general appropriations act, and thereafter, to the NCSC, upon full transfer of the implementation, distribution, and management of the social pension.