A HOUSE leader has supported the enactment of a measure designed to ensure income security for all Filipino senior citizens.
Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, acting chair of the Committee on Appropriations and a known advocate for social equity and senior citizens’ rights, joined a rally at the Senate on Monday, alongside members of the senior citizen community to press for the passage of measures favoring the elderlies.
Quimbo advocates the passage of the Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act.
Thousands of senior citizens and their advocates attended the rally to highlight the financial challenges faced by the country’s aging population.
Quimbo emphasized the importance of passing the bill, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, but has yet to advance in the Senate. The rallyists urged the senators to prioritize measure which seeks to establish universal coverage by providing every Filipino aged 60 and above with a guaranteed monthly pension.
Quimbo filed House Bill 10423 (Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act) which was passed in Congress last year.
Several senior constituents from Marikina joined the congresswoman at the rally.
“The Universal Social Pension Act is about fairness and dignity. It ensures that no Filipino senior is left behind, regardless of their economic status. This is our way of giving back to those who have contributed so much to society,” said Quimbo.
The proposed legislation seeks to address critical gaps in the current system under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994). The current framework limits pension eligibility to indigent seniors.
This provision leaves millions of elderly Filipinos who may not meet the criteria for indigence, but still face financial hardships without access to necessary support. Of the 4.085 million seniors listed under the DSWD social pension program, only 783,000 have received payouts due to logistical delays and issues with LGU compliance in liquidation processes.
Key provisions of the bill include automatic pension eligibility for all Filipinos aged 60 and above, efficient distribution mechanisms with no transaction fees, and provisions to ensure funds are used efficiently and rolled over when unused.
“By extending pensions to all senior citizens, we can reduce inequality and ensure that no one is excluded from receiving the support they deserve. This social pension will be a vital lifeline for seniors without other income sources, significantly reducing their risk of poverty. Moreover, the increased spending capacity of our elderly will stimulate local economies, especially small and medium enterprises, as they invest in essential goods and services,” Quimbo said.
The growing demographic trends in the country show that the senior citizen population is expected to reach nearly 11 million by the end of 2025. Many of these individuals face significant financial and health-related vulnerabilities, with 59 percent of their medical expenses paid out-of-pocket in 2018.
Quimbo stressed the urgency of addressing these inequities through universal pension coverage. “This bill is not just about numbers; it’s about lives. Our seniors deserve to retire with dignity and the financial means to meet their basic needs,” she said.
