MANILA, Philippines- Pasado na sa huli at ikatlong pagbasa sa House of Representatives ang Universal Social Pension Bill, na nagsusulong ng pagkakaroon ng basic social pension program para sa lahat ng Filipino senior citizens.
Ayon kay United Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, may akda ng “An Act Granting Universal Social Pension to Senior Citizens,” nilalayon ng panukala na matiyak na mabibigyan ng financial assistance ang lahat ng mga senior citizens. Aniya, isa itong malaking tulong lalo na bilang pambili ng pagkain at gamot.
“This bill is a significant step towards ensuring the health and well-being of not just some, but ALL of our senior citizens,” pahayag ni Aquino-Magsaysay.
Sa kasalukuyang batas ay ang indigent senior citizens lamang ang may buwanang pensyon mula sa gobyerno, subalit sa oras na maisabatas ang panukala ni Aquino-Magsaysay ay wala nang pipiliin at lahat ng seniors, mayaman man o hindi, ay may tulong na matatanggap mula sa pamahalaan.
“Key provisions of the bill include a non-contributory monthly stipend for senior citizens, amounting to One Thousand Pesos (₱1,000.00) for indigent senior citizens who are currently receiving social pension, and an initial amount of (₱500.00) for all senior citizens who are not currently included in the list of social pension beneficiaries, which increases to One Thousand Pesos (₱1,000.00) within five years, in increments of (P100) per year,” paliwanag ni Aquino-Magsaysay.
Sa oras na maisabatas ang programa para sa pension for all ay ililipat na ang pangangasiwa nito mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) patungo sa National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
“The passage of the Universal Social Pension Bill is not just for those who have walked before us, but for the generations whose journeys have only begun.It ensures that no Filipino senior citizen today or tomorrow will ever be left behind or forgotten. It is about time that ALL Filipinos have a pension,” giit pa ng mambabatas.
Ang naipasang panukala ay isinumite na sa Senado. Gail Mendoza
