MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go urged the government to enlist all indigent senior citizens in the social pension program despite existing appropriations.

​The senator made the appeal during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 national budget on Sept. 1.

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​Go, one of the co-authors of Republic Act 11916 which increased the monthly social pension for indigent senior citizens from P500 to P1,000, reminded the government of the law’s intent.

Social pension eyed for indigent seniors​

​“For this year, P49.8 billion was allotted for the social pension for indigent senior citizens. This will benefit four million senior citizens,” he said.

​“However, more than 800,000 indigent senior citizens are on the so-called ‘waitlist,’” Go said. He asked the economic managers why their plight remained unaddressed.

​In response, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman clarified that the agency merely followed the request submitted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), noting that the funding reflected only what the department requested.

​Go, however, underscored the urgency of the issue and conveyed the frustrations he received from affected seniors. He said that this matter cannot be deferred given the scale of those affected.

​Pangandaman reiterated that the DSWD still needed to adjust its list of beneficiaries, stressing that the allocation reflected the agency’s request.

​Go sought clarity on whether the unserved indigent seniors could be prioritized through alternative funding mechanisms.