House Committee on Population and Family Relations Chairperson Rep. Sol Aragones is bent on approving the substitute bill providing for a universal social pension, an initiative that seeks to increase the coverage and the amount of social pension for senior citizens.
“I support the call of many senior citizens to pass the Universal Social Pension Act which will amend the existing social pension program under RA 9994 or “The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” says Laguna 3rdDistrict Rep. Aragones who is a leading advocate for the care of the elderly.
Aragones noted that the Universal Social Pension Act is long overdue, and ultimately deserves immediate action to benefit the growing population of senior citizens in our country.
“Sa ilalim ng Universal Social Pension Act, tatanggalin na ang lahat ng mga requirements para makakuha ng pension ang mga senior citizens. Sa ngayon kasi tanging ang mga “indigent senior citizens” lamang ang nakakatanggap ng pensyon na limang daang piso. Alinsunod sa kasalukuyang batas, ang ibig sabihin ng “indigent senior citizen” ay yung mga nakatatanda na may sakit, karamdaman, kapansanan, at mga walang pension o permanenteng pinagkakakitaan o financial assistance na nanggagaling sa kanilang mga kamag-anak. Sa panukalang Universal Social Pension bill, basta senior citizen ka makakatanggap ka ng social pension,” the congresswoman said.
The social pension to be given to senior citizens will be increased from P500 to P1,000.
Aside from the expanded coverage, the legislator mentioned that the social pension to be given to senior citizens will be increased from P500 to P1,000.
“Ito ay para higit na matulungan sila sa kanilang mga personal na pangangailangan lalo na sa pagpapagamot kung sila ay may karamdaman,” the lawmaker emphasized.