Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11916)
The main objective of Republic Act No. 11916 is to increase the social pension of indigent senior citizens in the Philippines to not less than One thousand pesos (₱1,000.00) per month, amending Republic Act No. 7432, and to appropriate funds for this purpose.
Social Pension refers to the monetary grant from the government to support the daily subsistence and medical needs of senior citizens, which shall not be less than One thousand pesos (₱1,000.00) per month.
Indigent senior citizens who are those qualifying as indigent under the law, particularly those whose annual income does not exceed the latest poverty threshold published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), are entitled to the increased social pension.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) shall implement, distribute, and manage the social pension for senior citizens, with the transfer of functions from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to NCSC to be completed within three years from the effectivity of the Act.
The social pension amount shall be reviewed and adjusted every two (2) years by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with other stakeholders, taking into account the consumer price index and relevant economic indicators.
The monthly stipend may be released in cash, direct remittance through an accredited service provider by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, electronic transfer, or other modes of delivery acceptable to the beneficiary to ensure efficient and expeditious release.
No, any transaction or service fees arising from the release of the monthly stipends, whether through service providers, electronic transfers, or other modes, shall not be charged to the beneficiaries.
The Act provides additional social safety nets including assistance to cushion effects of economic shocks, disasters, and calamities. This includes food, medicines, and financial assistance for domicile repair sourced from local government disaster/calamity funds, subject to guidelines by the NCSC.
Private entities employing senior citizens as employees are entitled to an additional deduction from their gross income equivalent to 15% of the total amount paid in salaries and wages to senior citizens, provided the employment lasts at least six months and the senior citizen’s annual income does not exceed the latest poverty threshold.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. It lapsed into law on July 30, 2022, without the signature of the President as provided under Article VI Section 27(1) of the Constitution.