House backs universal pension plan

Leaders of the House of Representatives are moving closer to institutionalizing a proposed universal social pension program for senior citizens following the endorsement of the measure by House Speaker Faustino Dy III.

Dy voiced support for House Bill 10423, which seeks to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and provide broader financial assistance to elderly Filipinos regardless of income status.

During the turnover ceremony for the initial batch of signatures gathered under the “Twelve Million Signatures for the Elderly” campaign, the House leader said the government carries a moral duty to protect senior citizens who devoted much of their lives to their families and the country.

“I believe that true service begins with listening, understanding, compassion and love,” Dy told senior citizens’ groups, lawmakers and advocates supporting the pension proposal.

“We should not see our elderly merely as statistics, but as parents, grandparents, and Filipinos who spent their entire lives sacrificing for their families and our nation,” he added.

At present, the government’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program grants ₱1,000 monthly assistance only to qualified indigent elderly beneficiaries.

However, seniors already receiving pensions or other forms of financial aid are excluded from the existing program.

Dy stressed that the proposed Universal Social Pension should not merely be viewed as financial assistance but also as recognition of the contributions and dignity of elderly Filipinos.

“That is why the Universal Social Pension is not simply about assistance—it is about dignity, gratitude, and compassion,” he said.

“Given the costs of medicine, food, and health care, our seniors must be provided support to help them afford their basic needs.”

The Speaker also emphasized the responsibility of both government and society to care for vulnerable sectors, especially the elderly.

“Let us always remember the true measure of a nation is how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens,” Dy said.

Meanwhile, Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay thanked the House leadership for backing the proposal as millions of signatures gathered nationwide were formally turned over.

Aquino-Magsaysay, who chairs the House Committee on Senior Citizens, urged Congress to strengthen social protection and economic security programs for elderly Filipinos.

Dy described the signature drive as proof of growing public support for stronger government action benefiting senior citizens.

“We salute everyone who took part in the ‘Twelve Million Signatures for the Elderly’. Your support is proof that many Filipinos believe it is time to further strengthen care for our senior citizens,” he said.

“You have shown that genuine compassion, when accompanied by real action, can move a nation to do what is right for those who have spent their lives caring for others.”

The House leader assured senior citizens that lawmakers would continue pushing for measures aimed at easing their financial burden and improving their quality of life.

“You can expect that we will continue to support the right measures that will ease and improve their lives because this is humane and just,” Dy said.

“This is also our way of somehow expressing our gratitude to our senior citizens for their contributions to every Filipino family and to our country.”