Robredo to double pension for all Pinoy seniors (Sabong News)

NEGROS ORIENTAL—Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, April 20, promised senior citizens that she will double the pension they receive from the government, and that all of them will be covered by the program. Currently, senior citizens get a measly P500 a month after the government lapsed in implementing the Expanded Senior Citizens Act that would have raised the pension to at least P1,500 monthly. “Ang programa natin walang pipiliin, lahat na senior citizens makakatanggap ng pensyon at dodoblehin natin ‘yung natatanggap ngayon dahil alam natin gaano kayo nahihirapan (Our program will not be selective, all senior citizens will receive pension and we will double what you receive now because I know you are having a hard time),” she told the crowd during the “Pink Eruption” People’s Rally in Canlaon City. Robredo lamented that the pension the seniors receive now is not enough to buy their medicines after reading a placard that pushed for the P1,500 raise. One placard even asked the Vice President to provide a shuttle service for senior citizens if she wins, to which she agreed. Robredo shared that local officials here asked her to focus on fixing education, health, and senior citizens. “Ang gusto lang pong naming ipaabot sa inyo na pag kami po ang binigyang pagkakataon para manilbihan sa inyo, ang pinaka uunahin natin ‘yung pinaka nangangailangan (What we want to tell you that if we are given the chance to serve you, we will put the needy first),” Robredo said. This is her first time in Canlaon City, where her hands were raised by Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong and Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Blanco ‘Batchuk’ Cardenas. The aspiring president regretted not visiting earlier as she gushed about the beauty of the city. After hearing that some Negrenses from the city will not be able to attend the grand rally in Dumaguete later tonight, the Vice President said the campaign team pushed to visit early this Wednesday morning. “Alam ko marami sa inyo ang hindi na makakapunta doon kaya po pumunta kami para kahit papaano, makausap namin kayo ng personal ngayong umaga. (I know a lot of you will not be able to go there so we went here now so we can talk with you in person this morning),” she added. Robredo and running mate Sen. FRrancis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan will barnstorm Negros Oriental today and nearby Siquijor Island. In 2016, Robredo won in Negros Oriental, getting 255,598 votes.