₱1k monthly pension sought for seniors

Millions of elderly Filipinos could receive a bigger and more reliable financial lifeline under a Senate proposal seeking to expand the coverage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and raise the monthly social pension for qualified beneficiaries to ₱1,000.

Senate Bill 269, filed by Senator Bam Aquino, proposes a ₱1,000 monthly social pension for senior citizens who are not receiving any social pension or whose existing pension does not exceed ₱3,000.

The measure aims to give qualified seniors a predictable source of income they can use for food, medicines, utility bills, transportation, medical needs, and emergencies.

Aquino said many Filipinos find it increasingly difficult to earn a living after reaching 60, leaving some older citizens dependent on family members for their basic needs.

“As we grow older, it becomes more difficult to generate income. Many of our lolos and lolas face barriers to staying employed after the age of 60 due to physical limitations, age-based discrimination, or the lack of opportunities tailored to their skills,” Aquino said in a statement Thursday.

He said a dependable social pension could also help families cope with the rising cost of supporting elderly relatives, particularly when household budgets must cover food, medicine and education.

Unlike irregular financial assistance or informal support, Aquino said a regular pension would allow senior citizens to plan their spending and make their own decisions on how to use their limited resources.

“Our senior citizens have broadly contributed to the development of our nation. It is time for us to return their sacrifices by ensuring that they are cared for in their old age,” he said.

Aquino said the proposed ₱1,000 monthly benefit would not only provide direct assistance to elderly Filipinos but could also reduce the financial pressure on younger family members who shoulder much of their parents’ or grandparents’ daily expenses.

If enacted, the measure would strengthen the social safety net for vulnerable senior citizens by providing them with a more consistent source of income at a stage of life when opportunities to earn are often limited.