Manila, Aug. 5 -- Filipino senior citizens welcomed twin good news last week -- the announcement of pension hikes by the Social Security System (SSS) and the zero-balance billing for select government hospitals that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. touted in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

These developments-long-overdue improvements in social services and benefits-are societal advancements that reflect the improving support not just for the elderly but for all Filipinos. It's a tangible sign of progress.

The SSS announced multi-year pension hikes without increasing the contributions of members-a welcome development for around four million retirees. According to SSS, the cumulative adjustment will result in an increase o...