CHR backs Universal Social Pension for elderly Filipinos

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has voiced its full support for the proposed Universal Social Pension Act, emphasizing that the measure aligns with the Philippine government's constitutional and international obligations to protect the rights and welfare of older persons.

In a statement Friday in time for the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week and the International Day for Older Persons this month, the CHR endorsed Senate Bill No. 2929, which seeks to institutionalize monthly financial assistance for all senior citizens across the country. 

Under the proposal, indigent elderly individuals would receive P1,000 monthly, while non-indigents would get P500.

The CHR said the bill affirms the economic, social, and cultural rights of senior citizens and promotes social inclusion and dignity, particularly for older Filipinos who continue to face daily struggles despite existing government support programs.

“As the national human rights institution, we view this initiative as part of the State’s broader obligation to care for the elderly, as mandated by the 1987 Constitution,” the CHR said, citing Article XV, Section 4, which requires the State to provide just and appropriate programs of social security for the elderly, and Article XIII, Section 11, which prioritizes their needs as part of vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

The Commission also noted the Philippines’ commitments under international frameworks, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the UN Principles for Older Persons, which emphasize dignity, care, and participation. 

The CHR said the proposed pension program also supports the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, which urges governments to ensure equal access to income security for older persons.

It also called for complementary policies beyond the pension itself, recommending improvements in healthcare access, livelihood support, and community-based care systems to ensure a more holistic approach to aging.

While supporting the measure, the CHR flagged several concerns, including the “ladderized” structure of the stipend, which would increase the pension for non-indigent seniors after five years but keep the amount for indigents fixed. 

The Commission said such provisions may raise issues of equity and discrimination.

“A rights-based approach requires that those with less in life be given more in law,” the CHR said, urging lawmakers to ensure that pension rates are reviewed regularly and adjusted to reflect inflation and the rising cost of living.

The CHR reiterated its call to remove barriers that prevent older persons from living with dignity, saying the duty of care toward the elderly is both a constitutional mandate and a moral obligation.

“Together, let us affirm our collective commitment to advance the rights and well-being of all, especially our elderly,” the Commission said.