House okays universal social pension for seniors on 2nd reading

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill that will provide a universal social pension for all Filipino senior citizens.

The bill’s sponsor, Marikina City 2nd district Representative Stella Luz Quimbo said the bill would make social pension mandatory for all senior citizens.

“Ibig sabihin, 'matic na ang pagiging kasapi sa social pension basta edad 60. May SSS pension man o wala, may GSIS pension man o wala, kasama na po,” Quimbo said said in her sponsorship speech.

(This means all those aged 60 and up automatically are included among those who will receive social pension. Whether one receives or does not receive pension from SSS or GSIS, he or she will receive the said social pension.)

Quimbo noted that indigent senior citizens are already receiving P1,000 social pension monthly. Under the bill, senior citizens who are not yet part of the said program will receive P500 per month.

“Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa lahat nabibigyan ng karamptaang pensiyon. Less than half are currently covered by the program,” Quimbo said.

(Up to now, not everyone receives pension.)

“By mandating a social pension for all seniors, we ensure that every elderly citizen in our country has a basic level of income security. Indigent man o hindi, may existing pension o wala, lahat ng senior citizens, meron nang pension (Whether one is indigent or not, has existing pension or none, all senior citizens will receive pension),” she added. —NB/KG, GMA Integrated News