CHR hopes House Bill 10423 becomes a law on monthly social pension for all senior citizens
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) looks forward to the enactment into law of House Bill No. 10423 that would provide monthly social pension to all senior citizens regardless of their financial status.
Currently, only indigent seniors receive a monthly social pension of P500.
House Bill 10423 proposed an increase to P1,000 a month pension for indigent seniors and P500 a month pension for all other seniors.
The bill, authored by United Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, has been approved by the House of Representatives in its third and final reading last May. It received 232 affirmative votes.
It is entitled "Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges, and for Other Purposes." It is envisioned to amend Republic Act No. 7432, the current law on senior citizens.
In a statement, CHR Commissioner Beda Angeles Epres, the focal commissioner for older persons, said: "We applaud the bill’s intention to ensure that no Filipino senior citizen will be left behind in terms of financial support. This bill is a step towards enhancing their quality of life and a reflection of the nation’s responsibility to protect the welfare of all our senior citizens."
If enacted into law, House Bill 10423 would require the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management and other stakeholders, to review the adjustment of the social pension every two years to keep up with economic changes.
The proposed law would given some senior citizens the option to be out of the program and waive their benefits given their diverse circumstances and varying needs.
Commissioner Epres also said: "We recognize the efforts of our legislators to ensure the progress of this bill in the lower house. We support their initiatives to prioritize the well-being of our elderly. This affirms the State’s commitment to contribute to the dignity and independence of our seniors."
For its part, the CHR lauded the bill as a "positive addition" to the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens 2023-2028 (PPASC 2023-2028), a comprehensive program launched by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) that fosters an inclusive and age-friendly society.