Statement from COSE (Philippines): “Universal Social Pension Better than Subsidies”
The Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) — a Voice Influencing grantee in the Philippines — highlights the impact of the recently passed tax reform law on senior citizens and the elderly. Together with the Confederation of Older Persons Association of the Philippines (COPAP), they are renewing their push for the passage of the Universal Social Pension bill.
The Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law reduces the tax burden on income earners while recouping lost government revenue through additional excise taxes. Older persons with little to no income will not benefit from the income tax reductions but will have to bear increased daily living expenses. Only a 3-year cash transfer programme will be given to indigent seniors to cushion the impact.
In this light, we support COSE and COPAP’s call for expanding the support given to older persons in the Philippines.
To read the full statement, please see Universal Social Pension better than P200 subsidy for poor older persons – COPAP, COSE.
