The United Senior Citizens Partylist is advocating for the passage of the Universal Social Pension, a proposed law that would grant all Filipino senior citizens a monthly pension of PHP 1,000, regardless of financial status.
Partylist Representative Mila Magsaysay said the measure, currently under deliberation in the Senate, aims to provide greater financial security for the country’s growing elderly population.
Under the existing Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 7432), only indigent senior citizens—those without regular income or financial support—receive a PHP 1,000 monthly stipend from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Non-indigent seniors receive only PHP 500 per month. The proposed Universal Social Pension would ensure that all seniors, regardless of financial background, receive equal support, recognizing their contributions to society and addressing their healthcare and daily living needs.
The partylist also expressed support for the DSWD’s proposal to issue a unified Senior Citizens ID, aiming to prevent the spread of fake IDs and ensure businesses properly honor discounts. Reports of fraudulent senior citizen IDs have led some establishments to deny discounts, affecting legitimate elderly customers.
Magsaysay noted that at least 50 complaints from seniors have been filed with their office, alleging that businesses refused to honor their mandatory 20% discount on purchases and services. She urged affected seniors to report violations to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) for proper action.
“Kasi kung minsan hindi natin makokontrol baka naman may nag-iissue ng OSCA-card na fake. So mas maganda siguro kung unified na,” she told reporters, emphasizing that a standardized system would help eliminate fraud and improve access to benefits.
The United Senior Citizens Partylist, which was elected in 2022 as one of 55 partylist groups, visited Cebu and Bohol to engage with senior citizen federations. Magsaysay was accompanied by partylist nominees Ted de Leon and Katrina Nepumuceno, who reiterated their commitment to championing policies that enhance the welfare of elderly Filipinos.
In addition to the Universal Social Pension, the partylist is pushing for stronger protections against elder abuse, including stiffer penalties for neglect and mistreatment of seniors; mandatory geriatric centers in every local government unit, ensuring accessible healthcare services for the elderly; better implementation of existing senior citizen privileges, including discounts and priority lanes in public and private establishments.
Magsaysay also reminded businesses to comply with the Senior Citizens Act, stating that failure to honor the mandated 20% discount is a violation of the law.
HOPEURWELL: A Holistic Approach to Senior Welfare
The United Senior Citizens Partylist continues to promote its advocacy called HOPEURWELL, which stands for Health, Opportunities, Protection, Empowerment, Universal Social Pension, Recreation, Wellness, Enjoyment, and Long Life.
This initiative seeks to improve the quality of life for senior citizens by addressing financial security, healthcare, social inclusion, and overall well-being.
With the Universal Social Pension bill awaiting Senate approval, the partylist remains focused on pushing for inclusive policies that ensure all Filipino seniors receive fair benefits and protections in their later years.
BusinessNews.ph