MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go urged the government to enlist all indigent senior citizens in the social pension program despite existing appropriations.
The senator made the appeal during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 national budget on Sept. 1.
Go, one of the co-authors of Republic Act 11916 which increased the monthly social pension for indigent senior citizens from P500 to P1,000, reminded the government of the law’s intent.
“For this year, P49.8 billion was allotted for the social pension for indigent senior citizens. This will benefit four million senior citizens,” he said.
“However, more than 800,000 indigent senior citizens are on the so-called ‘waitlist,’” Go said. He asked the economic managers why their plight remained unaddressed.
Social pension eyed for indigent seniors
In response, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman clarified that the agency merely followed the request submitted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), noting that the funding reflected only what the department requested., This news data comes from:http://ivkh-mvf-fe-jwcx.gangzhifhm.com
Go, however, underscored the urgency of the issue and conveyed the frustrations he received from affected seniors. He said that this matter cannot be deferred given the scale of those affected.
Pangandaman reiterated that the DSWD still needed to adjust its list of beneficiaries, stressing that the allocation reflected the agency’s request.
Social pension eyed for indigent seniors
Go sought clarity on whether the unserved indigent seniors could be prioritized through alternative funding mechanisms.
- Japan PM Ishiba bounces back in polls after election debacle
- Marcos orders lifestyle checks on all government officials amid flood control probe
- North Korea's Kim Jong Un travels to Beijing to watch military parade alongside Putin, Xi Jinping
- Fire breaks out in Manila residential area
- President Marcos commits to boosting PH digital infrastructure
- Philippine experts urge harm reduction strategy for tobacco control
- Macron says 26 countries pledge troops as a reassurance force for Ukraine after war ends
- Search for survivors after Afghan earthquake kills 800
- Trump move to cut more foreign aid risking shutdown
- DMW: 19 distressed OFWs return home from Jeddah
