Senior Citizen party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes on Monday expressed elation over the commitment made by Congress leaders to fund the proposed PHP1,000 monthly pension of indigent seniors.

“The quest has been arduous but we have succeeded in our relentless appeals for the welfare of indigent seniors,” Ordanes said in a statement as he thanked the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and the bicameral conference committee chairs Senator Sonny Angara and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co for pushing to fund the proposed P1,000 pension for poorest senior citizens.

“We look forward to seeing the funding provision for the indigent seniors’ social pension when the bicam-approved budget is ratified here in the House and when the budget bill is signed in December, so we can show that to senior citizens nationwide,” Ordanes added.

The funding provision will serve as Congress’ yearend holiday gift to indigent seniors, he said.

Ordanes said he would soon file a measure that would task the Social Security System (SSS) to distribute the pension instead of the present setup with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“This way, DSWD can focus on its main social welfare functions and programs,” he said.

Romualdez earlier expressed confidence that the Senate bicameral conference panel contingent will support the PHP77-billion institutional amendments by the House on the proposed PHP5.268 trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2023.

Among the institutional amendments include the upgrade of senior citizens’ pensions.

Angara vowed that the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, including the 100 percent increase from PHP500 to PHP1,000 that was granted under Republic Act 11916 when it lapsed into law on July 30, will be funded next year. (PNA)