Ejercito pushes bill to double monthly pension for elderly poor

Sen. JV Ejercito has introduced Senate Bill No. 2522 to raise the monthly social pension for economically disadvantaged senior citizens from P1,000 to P2,000, responding to escalating prices of essential goods and services.

The proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11916, which currently caps the monthly benefit at P1,000. Ejercito's bill addresses growing concerns that the fixed amount has become inadequate for elderly Filipinos struggling with the rising cost of food and basic maintenance expenses.

The move reflects mounting pressure on lawmakers to provide relief to the country's most vulnerable pensioners as inflation continues to erode purchasing power across the archipelago. The proposed increase would effectively double the government's financial support for qualifying senior citizens, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide.

The legislation now awaits committee deliberation and subsequent legislative action in the Senate. If enacted, the measure would represent a significant adjustment to the social pension program for the first time in recent years.