Abalos: No politics in giving out social pensions for seniors
Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. speaks to the members of the media in a press conference at Royal Star Aviation Hangar, Pasay City on September 6, 2024. PHOTOS: Arnel Tacson, INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Former Interior Secretary and senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos Jr. has cautioned against “politicizing” social pensions for indigent senior citizens, following reports of backlogs in distributing the government allowance.
His comment came after Wednesday’s Senate hearing on the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, where it was confirmed that 600,000 indigent senior citizens were waitlisted from receiving their P1,000 monthly pension.
“We got word that only select senior citizens were prioritized to receive their pensions from the government first. Supposedly, those close to barangay officials were the first to be given their pensions, but that doesn’t seem fair,” Abalos said in Filipino on Thursday.
READ: No pension fund yet for 600,000 waitlisted poor senior citizens
“The government allotted funds for that so it should be used correctly. Let us not allow only a few to benefit from the money that’s supposed to help our beloved seniors,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementThe former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief pointed to the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, which provides for an allowance of P500 per month to aid senior citizens’ expenses and medical needs.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Social Pension for Indigent Seniors Act doubled the monthly allowance to P1,000, after lapsing into law on July 30, 2022.
READ: Social pension budget for indigent senior citizens’ doubled for 2024
“Our elders have contributed much to the growth and development of our communities, and it is our responsibility to care for them, especially in their twilight years,” Abalos said.
READ: Abalos files candidacy for senator
Abalos was DILG secretary from June 30, 2022 to October 7, 2024. He resigned from the post to run for senator in the 2025 elections.
