House panel OKs substitute bill for universal pension for senior citizens

The House Committee on Senior Citizens today approved the substitute bill that grants a monthly stipend to all senior citizens.

Right now, only indigent senior citizens receive a P1,000 monthly stipend.

Those receiving pensions from the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are exempted from receiving the said benefit.

Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, who filed a bill providing for a universal social pension for all senior citizens, said the substitute bill addresses this gap.

"Hindi na makatotohanan ang halagang natatanggap sa SSS at GSIS pension kumpara sa daily at medical expenses kapag naging senior citizen ka na. At mas mahalaga para sa akin—why are we penalizing those who worked and supported themselves during their youth?" Quimbo said in a statement.

(The amount you receive from SSS and GSIS pension is no longer realistic compared to daily and medical expenses when you become a senior citizen.)

"It is unfair to penalize those who contributed to the nation through taxes while they were working. Excluding them from the social pension is discriminatory," Quimbo added.

In the approved substitute bill, it is provided that "all senior citizens, indigent or not, shall be entitled to a monthly stipend of at least P1,000... regardless of any other pension benefits they may receive in any other pension providers."

The bill, however, provides that the senior citizen may waive the said universal social pension.

The said amount may be increased every two years after the Department of Social Welfare and Development consults the Department of Budget and Management and all stakeholders.

The approved bill will be transmitted to the House plenary for further deliberations. —VAL, GMA Integrated News