HR00656: RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGED ANOMALOUS AND ILLEGAL DELAY OR LACK OF DISBURSEMENT OF THE SOCIAL PENSION FUND TO SENIOR CITIZENS
House Resolution No. 656 calls for an immediate investigation into the alleged anomalous delay or lack of disbursement of the Social Pension Fund for indigent senior citizens in the Philippines. Introduced by Hon. Francisco "Jun" Gamboa-Datol, Jr., the resolution highlights that Republic Act No. 9994, or the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010," mandates a monthly stipend of Five Hundred Pesos (PhP 500.00) for qualified indigent senior citizens. Despite a P23 billion budget appropriated for the program in 2019, intended to benefit nearly 3.8 million senior citizens, numerous reports indicate significant delays or denials of pension applications.
The resolution underscores the critical and indispensable nature of this social pension program for the continued survival and well-being of indigent senior citizens, as it provides funds for their daily subsistence and medical needs. The reported delays or lack of access to these funds severely prejudice the welfare of this vulnerable population, jeopardizing the goals of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and the constitutional duty of Congress to safeguard their welfare. Therefore, the resolution seeks a thorough review and investigation by the House of Representatives to ensure the effective implementation of the program and mitigate its adverse effects on indigent senior citizens.