Senator eyes ₱1,500 monthly social pension for senior citizens

Metro Manila, Philippines - A bill seeking to provide a ₱1,500 monthly social pension for senior citizens has been filed in the Senate.

Senator Risa Hontiveros lodged Senate Bill 215, or the Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act, to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Under existing laws, the monthly social pension worth ₱1,000 only covers indigent elderly.

“Dumarami ang mga pangangailangan ng mga lolo’t lola natin habang sila ay tumatanda, lalo na pagdating sa kanilang kalusugan,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 22.

[Translation: The needs of our grandparents increase as they grow old, especially when it comes to their health.]

“Pero marami sa kanila, hindi na kayang bumili ng kanilang gamot. Kaya nga minsan, mas pinipili nilang gumastos para sa pagkain, tubig, o kuryente kaysa sa gamot,” she added.

[Translation: Many of them are unable to buy medicines. Sometimes, they choose to spend on food, water, or electricity over medicines.]

Under Hontiveros’ bill, the amount of the social pension shall be reviewed regularly. If necessary, the Department of Social Welfare and Development would increase the amount every two years.

Based on government data, in 2020 there were 9.2 million senior citizens, or those aged 60 and above.