An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 7432, as Amended, and for Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 11916

Definitions (Section 1):
- Pension Provider: Any government office, agency, or private entity providing pensions based on contributions, gratuity, or law.
- Social Pension: Monetary grant from the government to support daily subsistence and medical needs of senior citizens, not less than ₱1,000 per month.

Government Assistance (Section 2):
- Employment:
  • Private entities employing senior citizens are entitled to a 15% deduction from gross income for salaries paid to senior citizens, subject to conditions.
- Mandatory Social Pension (Section 2(h)(1)):
  • Indigent senior citizens are entitled to a monthly stipend of not less than ₱1,000 to augment daily subsistence and medical needs.
  • The DSWD, subject to DBM approval, shall review and adjust the amount every two years based on consumer price index and economic indicators.
- Social Safety Nets (Section 2(h)(3)):
  • Social safety assistance, including food, medicines, and financial aid for domicile repair, shall be available for senior citizens from LGU disaster/calamity funds.

Payment and Fees (Sections 3 and 4):
- The monthly stipend shall be released through cash, remittance, electronic transfer, or other practical modes acceptable to the beneficiary.
- No transaction or service fees shall be charged to the beneficiaries.

Transfer of Functions (Section 5):
- The implementation, distribution, and management of the social pension shall be transferred from the DSWD to the NCSC within three years.
- Employee absorption or transfer shall follow applicable laws and DBM approval.

Beneficiary List (Section 6):
- The DSWD, and later the NCSC, with assistance from the PSA and LGUs, shall update and validate the list of beneficiaries annually.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 7):
- The NCSC shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within 30 days, in consultation with concerned agencies and organizations.

Appropriations (Section 8):
- The initial implementation shall be charged against the current DSWD appropriations, and subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Effectivity (Section 11):
- The Act shall take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.