Paul Pun welcomes old age pension increase

The secretary-general of Caritas Macau,  Paul Pun, has welcomed an increase in the old age and invalidity pensions.  He recalled that Macau senior citizens are often faced with challenges triggered by the rising cost of living.
The Standing Committee for Coordination of Social Affairs announced on Monday that it is discussing the increase of elderly and invalidity pensions. Both pensions will increase from MOP3,180 to MOP3,350 as of next July.
“The increase was necessary. Some people say it’s not enough and others say our government might not have the ability to cope with the increase. There are different opinions in Macau’s community but for senior citizens, for sure, the majority faces difficulties with the rising cost of living,” he told The Times.
Mr Pun acknowledged that when it comes to helping senior citizens cope with inflation, “this increase is good.” He hinted that Macau’s economy might not be as strong compared to previous years, but an increase of pensions still has to meet citizens’ basic expectations.
“Among senior citizens themselves, I believe that for those who have no other income, [living just with this] pension might be difficult to cope with [the cost of living]. But normally people [have either] early or long-term retirement plans, so they don’t have many difficulties because this MOP3,350 is just supplementary,” he recalled.
Caritas has been managing its Food Bank since 2011 and has noticed an increase in the number of elderly citizens resorting to the program. “This means that elderly citizens with no income would remain dependent on the support of the society. So this increase is necessary for them,” Mr Pun added.
With Chief Executive Chui Sai On set to deliver this year’s Policy Address on March 23, Mr Pun said that, “caring for the underprivileged should be a priority concern [of the Policy Address].”
“The elderly, people who are sick, disabled people and then children without parental care, they are the priority concern. The government needs to cope with society’s constantly changing needs,” he stressed. CP