Politics · Philippines Bureau
Romblon governor pushes to expand social pension coverage for low-income seniors
The Romblon provincial government is calling on national authorities to broaden the social pension program to reach senior citizens with minimal retirement benefits. The appeal was made during the province's Elderly Filipino Week 2026 observance.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN CITY — Romblon Governor Trina Firmalo-Fabic has urged the national government to expand social pension eligibility to include senior citizens receiving modest monthly stipends from the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System.
The governor made the appeal during Romblon's commemoration of Elderly Filipino Week 2026 in Looc, highlighting the financial vulnerability of pensioners whose monthly benefits remain inadequate to cover basic living expenses.
Currently, the social pension program has limited coverage, leaving many seniors who depend on SSS and GSIS pensions without access to supplementary assistance despite their low income levels. Firmalo-Fabic's call seeks to address this gap by extending program benefits to pensioners falling below minimum income thresholds.
The expansion would provide additional financial relief to elderly Filipinos struggling with insufficient retirement income, a growing concern as more seniors face economic hardship. Provincial officials are expected to coordinate with national government agencies to formalize the proposal and determine implementation requirements.
The push reflects broader efforts by local government units to improve social protection for vulnerable elderly populations across the country.