₱1,000 Monthly Medicine and Vitamin Aid for Seniors Proposed by Legarda
LOREN LEGARDA – The senator has filed a bill that aims to provide an additional ₱1,000 monthly allowance for poor senior citizens to help them purchase maintenance medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
This proposed assistance is separate from the existing ₱1,000 social pension currently provided to indigent seniors by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). According to Legarda, the initiative is outlined in her Monthly Maintenance Medication Support Bill, which seeks to ease the financial burden on elderly Filipinos who depend on daily medications.
Under the bill, eligible senior citizens must register with the Department of Health (DOH) to avail of the program. Once registered, they simply need to present a doctor’s prescription for their required maintenance drugs, vitamins, or supplements.
If the proposal is approved, beneficiaries will be issued a Maintenance Medication Support Card. This card will be loaded with ₱1,000 every month and can be used specifically to purchase the prescribed health products.
Senator Legarda emphasized that the bill supports the well-being of senior citizens by ensuring they continue to receive the care they need without sacrificing other essentials in their lives. The proposal is part of her continued efforts to improve healthcare access for the elderly.
Meanwhile, aside from the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support Act, Senator Loren Legarda filed nine other priority bills for the 20th Congress, focusing on education, livelihood, healthcare, and the environment. Leading the list is the One Tablet, One Student Act, which aims to support digital learning. Other key proposals include the Pangkabuhayan Act, Living Wage Act, and Unpaid Care Workers Act, which promote economic support and workers’ rights. She also filed bills on Waste Workers’ Rights, Women and Children Protection, Low Carbon Economy, Blue Economy, and Complementarity in Education—reflecting her commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsive policies.