Manila: A bill filed in the Senate seeks to expand the coverage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and increase the monthly social pension for qualified senior citizens to PHP1,000. Senate Bill 269 aims to provide senior citizens who do not receive a social pension or whose existing pension does not exceed PHP3,000 with this enhanced benefit.

According to Philippines News Agency, the measure seeks to provide qualified seniors with a regular and predictable source of income for everyday expenses, medical needs, and emergencies. Senator Bam Aquino, the bill's author, emphasized the challenges faced by older individuals in generating income due to physical limitations, age-based discrimination, or the lack of suitable employment opportunities after the age of 60.

Aquino stated that a reliable social pension could ease the financial burden on families struggling with daily expenses, such as food, medicine, and education. He noted that unlike irregular or informal sources of support, a regular pension would allow beneficiaries to manage their resources with greater certainty and decide how to spend their money.

"Our senior citizens have broadly contributed to the development of our nation. It is time for us to return their sacrifices by ensuring that they are cared for in their old age," Aquino said. The proposed pension could be spent on food, medicine, utility bills, transportation, and other essential expenses, helping reduce the financial burden on younger family members.