HONTIVEROS PUSHES FOR P1,500 MONTHLY SOCIAL PENSION FOR SENIORS

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros is pushing for the passage of one of her priority bills that will provide all senior citizens with a P1,500 monthly social pension to augment their daily living expenses.

This comes as the Senate Committee on Social Justice and Rural Development held its first hearing on Senate Bill No. 215 or the Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act authored by Hontiveros, which seeks to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

“Dumarami ang mga pangangailangan ng mga lolo’t lola natin habang sila ay tumatanda, lalo na pagdating sa kanilang kalusugan. Pero marami sa kanila, hindi na kayang bumili ng kanilang gamot. Kaya nga minsan, mas pinipili nilang gumastos para sa pagkain, tubig, o kuryente kaysa sa gamot,” Hontiveros said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development revealed during the Senate hearing that under current laws, the social pension for senior citizens is just P1,000 per month and is limited to indigents.

“Matagal nang nakapako sa P1,000 ang social pension para sa mga senior at hindi pa lahat sa kanila nakakakuha nito. Pero lahat naman ng lolo’t lola natin kailangang tulungan sa gastusin, lalo na’t patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga gamot at bilihin,” Hontiveros said.

She added, “Lagi nating hinihiling tuwing birthday nina lolo’t lola na bigyan sila ng good health at long life. Magtulungan sana tayo para maipasa ang universal social pension para sa mga seniors para matupad ang ating hiling para sa kanila.”