Press Release - Bong Go pushes for prioritizing social pension funding for qualified indigent senior citizens

During the deliberations of the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, September 16, on the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Senator Christopher "Bong" Go called for immediate action to address the significant number of indigent senior citizens who are still on the waitlist for the social pension program.

Go started his remarks by emphasizing the increase in the budget for the social pension program for the elderly, "For next year, the budget for the social pension for indigent senior citizens is PhP49.8 billion. This reflects the increase in monthly pension from 500 to 1,000. Under Republic Act No. 11916, which I also co-authored and co-sponsored here in the Senate," said Go.

Go, speaking to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and other officials present, underscored the importance of such pension, especially to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who often inquire about their entitlements upon returning to the Philippines.

He shared a common concern voiced by elderly OFWs, saying, "Alam niyo po, Secretary Rex, 'pag nasa abroad tayo, nakakausap natin 'yung mga OFWs na matatanda na. Unang tanong nila: Meron ba tayong pension na mauuwian sa Pilipinas. May matatanggap ba sila?"

While acknowledging the increase in funding, Go raised a critical concern: the significant number of senior citizens who may be eligible for the pension but remain on the waitlist. According to Go, approximately 466,000 indigent senior citizens are currently on the waitlist, and this number is expected to rise to 600,000.

Go also mentioned the PhP5.8 billion allotted in unprogrammed appropriations, specifically intended to address the backlog of senior citizens waiting for their pensions.

"Ano na ang status nito at napondohan na ba itong unprogrammed appropriations na PhP5.8 billion?" he asked.

In a related point, Go raised that there are excess funds in PhilHealth worth PhP89.9 billion that the executive plans to transfer to the National Treasury. Go asked if these funds would be used to help cover the unprogrammed budget for senior citizens' pensions.

"Since alam n'yo naman siguro, 'yung PhilHealth, 'di ba? 'Yung pera ng PhilHealth na PhP89.9 billion na dapat po para