Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo speaks to her fellow rallyists outside the Senate in Pasay City (Rep. Quimbo’s office)

Showing her commitment to senior citizens' welfare, Marikina 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo joined a rally at the Senate on Monday, Jan. 20, to push for the passage of the proposed Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act.

“The Universal Social Pension Act is about fairness and dignity. It ensures that no Filipino senior is left behind, regardless of their economic status. This is our way of giving back to those who have contributed so much to society,” said Quimbo, acting chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Thousands of senior citizens and supporters attended the rally to highlight the financial challenges faced by the aging population in the Philippines. Quimbo emphasized the importance of passing the bill, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives but has yet to advance in the Senate.

The rally sought to urge senators to prioritize the legislation, which aimed to establish universal coverage by providing every Filipino aged 60 and above with a guaranteed monthly pension.

Quimbo penned and filed House Bill (HB) No.10423 (Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act), which was passed by the House of Representatives in 2024.

Several elderly citizens from Marikina, who support the bill, joined the congresswoman at the rally.

The proposed legislation seeks to address critical gaps in the current system under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994). The current framework limits pension eligibility to indigent seniors.

This exclusionary provision leaves millions of elderly Filipinos who may not meet the criteria for indigence but still face financial hardships without access to necessary support. Of the 4.085 million seniors listed under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) social pension program, only 783,000 have received payouts due to logistical delays and issues with local government units (LGU) compliance in liquidation processes.

Key provisions of the bill include automatic pension eligibility for all Filipinos aged 60 and above, efficient distribution mechanisms with no transaction fees, and provisions to ensure funds are used efficiently and rolled over when unused.

"By extending pensions to all senior citizens, we can reduce inequality and ensure that no one is excluded from receiving the support they deserve. This social pension will be a vital lifeline for seniors without other income sources, significantly reducing their risk of poverty," Quimbo said.

"Moreover, the increased spending capacity of our elderly will stimulate local economies, especially small and medium enterprises, as they invest in essential goods and services," added the aspiring Marikina mayor.

The growing demographic trends in the country show that the senior citizen population is expected to reach nearly 11 million by the end of 2025. Many of these individuals face significant financial and health-related vulnerabilities, with 59 percent of their medical expenses paid out-of-pocket in 2018.

Quimbo stressed the urgency of addressing these inequities through universal pension coverage. “This bill is not just about numbers; it’s about lives. Our seniors deserve to retire with dignity and the financial means to meet their basic needs,” she said.