Senator JV Ejercito proposes doubling indigent seniors' pension to P2,000

Senator JV Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 2522 aiming to double the social pension for indigent senior citizens from one outlet P1,000 to P2,000. The proposal amends Republic Act No. 11916, which had previously raised the pension from P500. It expands the definition of indigent seniors to include anyone without a regular income or receiving a pension or assistance of P10,000 or less per month, and eliminates the existing frailty or disability condition.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, with approval from the Department of Budget and Management and after stakeholder consultation, would be tasked with reviewing and adjusting the pension amount every two years using economic indicators such as the consumer price index. Ejercito argued that one outlet amount no longer covers basic needs amid rising prices. The measure frames the pension as a recognition of seniors' contributions rather than charity.