NCSC Supports House Bills Pushing Universal Social Pension, Expanded Senior Benefits

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) expressed full support for the substitute bills in the House of Representatives that aim to expand benefits and strengthen social protection for Filipino senior citizens. These measures were presented and discussed during the House Committee on Senior Citizens’ third regular meeting on 02 December 2025, led by Chairperson Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay.

A key enhancement endorsed at the committee level is the proposal to institutionalize a Universal Social Pension, intended to provide every Filipino senior citizen with a monthly pension regardless of income status, subject to the full legislative process.

The NCSC likewise supports the agreed provision in the substitute bill granting both indigent and non-indigent senior citizens a monthly stipend of ₱1,000.

The Committee also tackled amendments to RA 7432, which seek to broaden the coverage of existing senior citizen benefits and privileges. The substitute bill proposes updated mandatory discounts and VAT exemptions on basic commodities, healthcare services, digital purchases, transportation, and other essential services.

Representing the Commission during the meeting were Acting Executive Director Ana Marie C. Calapit, Head Executive Assistant Atty. Jasper Allen B. Barrientos, and Project Development Officer III Arwin Mancilla.

The Commission will be submitting its position papers on the proposed measures, including those expanding employment opportunities and strengthening fraud protection for older persons.

Also present during the meeting and consistently advocating legislation for senior citizens’ welfare were Representatives Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes, Jose C. Alvarez, Rosalie Ang Salvame, Loreto S. Amante, and Gerald Cloyd Alexis V. Galang.

Hopeful for the swift advancement of these bills to the Senate, the NCSC believes that these reforms will reinforce the government’s commitment to improving programs and benefits for Filipino senior citizens.

At present, the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC), which provides a ₱1,000 monthly stipend to eligible indigent seniors pursuant to Republic Act No. 9994, is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Meanwhile, under Executive Order No. 96, the NCSC is an attached agency of the DSWD and is currently responsible for implementing the Expanded Centenarians Act (ECA) Cash Gift Distribution. ■