Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III backed the growing push to institutionalize a Universal Social Pension for senior citizens, saying the country has a moral obligation to protect all elderly Filipinos who spent their lives sacrificing for their families and the nation.
Speaking at the turnover of the initial batch of signatures of the “Labing-Dalawang Milyong Lagda para sa Matatanda” signature campaign at the House of Representatives, Dy said millions of Filipinos were now calling for stronger support for senior citizens struggling with rising medicine, health care and living costs.
“Naniniwala po ako na ang tunay na paglilingkod ay nagsisimula sa pakikinig, pag-unawa, malasakit, at pagmamahal,” the veteran legislator said before senior citizens’ groups, lawmakers and supporters of the pension measure.
“Hindi natin dapat tingnan ang ating mga nakatatanda bilang statistics lamang, kundi bilang mga magulang, lolo at lola, at mga Pilipinong buong buhay nagsakripisyo para sa kanilang pamilya at inang bayan.”
“Na hindi natin dapat tingnan ang ating mga nakatatanda bilang statistics lamang, kundi bilang mga magulang, lolo at lola, at mga Pilipinong buong buhay nagsakripisyo para sa kanilang pamilya at inang bayan,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
At present, government financial assistance for senior citizens is limited to indigent elderly Filipinos under the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program, which provides P1,000 monthly to qualified beneficiaries.
The program covers senior citizens aged 60 and above who are frail, sickly, living with disabilities, and have no pension or permanent source of income or financial support from relatives.
According to Dy, the proposed Universal Social Pension is more than a financial assistance program and should instead be viewed as a recognition of the dignity and contributions of senior citizens.
“That is why the Universal Social Pension is not simply about assistance—it is about dignity, gratitude, and compassion,” he stressed.
“Given the costs of medicine, food, and health care, our seniors must be provided support to help them afford all of their basic needs,” Dy added.
The Speaker from Isabela also underscored what he described as the moral responsibility of government and society to care for vulnerable Filipinos, particularly the elderly.
“Let us always remember: The true measure of a nation is how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens,” the House leader said.
The event, led by United Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, chairperson of the House Committee on Senior Citizens, marked the formal turnover of millions of signatures gathered nationwide urging Congress to strengthen social protection and financial security for senior citizens.
Dy said the signature drive reflected the growing public clamor for stronger government action to improve the lives of elderly Filipinos.
“Saludo po kami sa lahat ng naging bahagi ng ‘Labing-Dalawang Milyong Lagda para sa Matatanda’.”
“Kaya saludo po kami sa lahat ng naging bahagi ng ‘Labing-Dalawang Milyong Lagda para sa Matatanda.’ Ang inyong suporta ay patunay na maraming Pilipino ang naniniwalang panahon na upang higit nating palakasin ang pagkalinga sa ating mga senior citizens,” he said.
“You have shown that genuine compassion, when accompanied by real action, can move a nation to do what is right for those who have spent their lives caring for others,” Dy added.
He assured senior citizens that the House would continue supporting measures aimed at easing their burdens and improving their quality of life.
“Dito po sa House, makakaasa po kayo na patuloy po naming susuportahan ang mga tamang hakbang na magpapagaan at magpapabuti sa kanilang buhay dahil ito ay makatao at makatarungan,” Dy said.
“Ito rin po ang aming paraan upang kahit papaano ay maiparamdam natin sa ating mga senior citizens ang ating pasasalamat sa kanilang kontribusyon sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino at sa ating bansa,” he concluded.
