Gov’t backing urged for elderly social pension bill

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

A lawmaker on Thursday called on President Marcos to certify as urgent a bill that would approve universal social pension for senior citizens, saying it would go a long way in ensuring they have a basic level of income security. House Bill No. 10423, primarily authored by Senior Citizens Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, was approved on a second reading by the lower chamber on May 15. If passed into law, it would make social pension mandatory for all senior citizens, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in state pension funds. Under Republic Act No. 7432, indigent senior citizens currently receive a monthly stipend of P1,000. HB 10423, however, expands the universal social pension to cover nonindigent seniors who will get P500. Within five years, all senior citizens will also be entitled to a universal social pension equivalent to at least P1,000, regardless of their financial status or income bracket. — KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING