Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has thrown his weight behind a proposal to provide a universal social pension to all senior citizens, emphasizing the importance of equality under the law. On a recent Friday, Estrada declared, ‘In the eyes of the law, everyone should be equal,’ highlighting the necessity to extend pension benefits to all elderly Filipinos, irrespective of their financial situation. Currently, only indigent seniors receive a monthly pension of PHP1,000 under Republic Act No. 7432, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. Estrada’s Senate Bill No. 2929 proposes a ‘universal social pension’ that would initially provide PHP500 monthly to non-indigent seniors, with plans to increase this amount by PHP100 every five years until it reaches at least PHP1,000. This initiative mirrors House Bill No. 10423, which was passed by the House of Representatives in May 2024. Estrada’s bill not only aims to enhance the health and social inclusion of seniors but also seeks to restore their dignity. He stressed that the universal social pension transcends mere financial assistance, serving as a vital tool for social protection and empowerment for the elderly. Estrada pointed out that many seniors are compelled to work due to the absence of pensions or stable incomes, struggling to meet their families’ basic needs despite government efforts. The urgency of this proposal was underscored by a rally of 6,000 seniors outside the Senate in Pasay City, advocating for the passage of HB 10423.
Estrada Champions Universal Social Pension for All Senior Citizens
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