A measure seeking to increase the social pension of indigent senior citizens to P1,000 from P500 is one step closer to becoming a law after the Senate approved it on third and final reading on Monday.
With 18 votes, the chamber unanimously approved Senate Bill 2506, amending RA 7432 granting benefits and special privileges to senior citizens.
Under the measure, indigent senior citizens will receive an additional P500 in their monthly pension allowance, to a total of P1,000.
"This initiative serves as a small token of appreciation to show how we value our elders for their immeasurable contribution to our community," said Sen. Joel Villanueva, who sponsored the measure.
The measure also provides options in distributing the social pension other than cash payout in order to reach the target beneficiaries. The transaction fees, if there are any, will not be charged to the senior citizens.
Under the law, senior citizens are entitled to receive social pension if they are:
- Frail, sickly or with disability
- No pension from the government and private institutions
- No permanent source of income
- No regular support from family or relatives
The House of Representatives has approved its version of the measure in August last year.
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