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., This news data comes from:http://705-888.com
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.
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.
Go sought clarity on whether the unserved indigent seniors could be prioritized through alternative funding mechanisms.
Social pension eyed for indigent seniors
- No winner in lotto draws for Aug 28
- Australia's mushroom murderer faces victims' family in court
- AFP chief tells troops: Stop Chinese from entering PH ship marooned on WPS territory at all cost
- 'Strangest' dinosaur covered in spiked armory – scientists
- Discaya’s construction companies competed against each other during biddings
- UK refuses to invite Israeli government officials to London arms fair over the war in Gaza
- Seoul says fired warning shots after North Korean troops crossed border
- House party leaders want to return proposed 2026 budget to Executive
- Isko files raps over demolition of sports complex
- Thousands protest in Indonesia as military deployed in capital
