Manila: Elderly residents in the country’s capital city will receive a significant increase in their monthly allowances from the city government, beginning in 2025. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has enacted Ordinance 9081, which raises the monthly cash benefit for the city’s senior citizens from PHP500 to PHP1,000, effective January 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, the distribution of the increased allowance will commence in March 2025, with disbursements occurring quarterly. The decision to increase the allowance follows persistent requests from senior citizens for additional financial support. “Our grandfathers and grandmothers do not fail in asking for a hike in their allowance. Now, we have doubled it,” Mayor Lacuna stated during the ordinance signing ceremony at City Hall.
Currently, senior citizens in Manila receive a PHP500 monthly allowance, distributed every four months, amounting to PHP2,000. The signing event was attended by several councilors, including the principal authors of the ordina
nce, and officials from the Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs.
Councilor Lacuna emphasized that the ordinance aligns with the State policy outlined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, specifically Article XIII, Section 11, which mandates the State to prioritize the needs of the elderly through an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development and social services. Councilor Isip further highlighted that both the Constitution and the Local Government Code empower the Manila city government to ensure the welfare of its elderly population.
The ordinance aims to provide senior citizens with enhanced access to quality healthcare services, essential medicines, and goods. The new allowance rate aligns with the national government’s social pension for indigents, as administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.