Romblon governor seeks wider social pension coverage for seniors

CALAPAN CITY — Romblon Gov. Trina Firmalo-Fabic on Friday urged the national government to expand the social pension program’s coverage to include senior citizens receiving low monthly pensions from the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Firmalo-Fabic made the call during the province’s observance of Elderly Filipino Week 2026 in Looc town, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Romblon.

She said senior citizens receiving less than P5,000 a month from the SSS or GSIS should qualify for social pension assistance.

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READ: Makabayan seeks to raise seniors’ monthly pension to P2,000

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The governor said elderly people should not be excluded from additional government support simply because they receive pensions earned from their previous employment.

Firmalo-Fabic also said that although a law providing for universal social pension already exists, there are no formal guidelines and funds from the national government for its implementation, limiting the number of beneficiaries in the municipalities.

She asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a resolution to be submitted to the Office of the President and the National Commission of Senior Citizens, seeking consideration for elderly Filipinos receiving low pensions.

Firmalo-Fabic also outlined provincial programs aimed at addressing the health, welfare and livelihood needs of senior citizens.

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Among these is the Romblon Health Access Program (R-HAP), which provides qualified beneficiaries with a free R-HAP card worth P5,000 for maintenance medicines and other medical needs.

She encouraged senior citizens who have difficulty buying their medicines to secure an R-HAP card through their respective municipal governments.

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The provincial government has also established Governor’s Health Desks in every municipality and public hospital to facilitate requests for medical assistance, burial assistance, and free ward confinement.

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For bedridden senior citizens, the province is implementing the DEPARA Program in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. The program provides home visits, personal care, and assistance such as free milk and rice.

The governor also cited the Cash-for-Work and Food-for-Work programs implemented with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and municipal social welfare offices. These include activities such as vegetable gardening intended to provide senior citizens with additional livelihood opportunities.

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Firmalo-Fabic said the programs seek to protect the health and welfare of elderly residents, help meet their daily needs, and enable them to live healthier lives with their families./coa