PENSION FOR THE SENIORS. An eligible senior citizen shows off his stipend and identification card as the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Western Visayas said 10,686 elderly citizens have received their social pension since last week of June this year. (Photo courtesy of DSWD 6)
ILOILO CITY -- Eligible senior citizens have started receiving their social pensions as the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Western Visayas (DSWD 6) kicked-off its initial round of pay-outs since last week of June.
May Castillo, regional information officer of DSWD 6, on Thursday said that 10,686 elderly beneficiaries have received their financial assistance since the start of its release.
Each eligible indigent senior citizen received PHP500 monthly stipend to augment his or her daily subsistence and other medical needs.
The assistance was received by 876 elders from Barotac Viejo; 425 from San Rafael; 2, 032 from Igbaras; and 1, 661 from New Lucena. The pension was also received by 1, 635 elders from Dueñas; 1, 661 in Dumangas; 1, 670 in Dumarao; and 726 in Anilao.
"In Western Visayas, we have 365,908 elderly eligible for a social pension for 2019," Castillo said.
Iloilo has the most number of social pensioners with 147,144; Capiz with 54,953; and Negros Occidental with 46,699.
Giving out of social pensions will be made per semester, thus each elderly will receive PHP3,000 every six months.
The DSWD 6 has allotted a total of PHP2,195,448,000 for social pensioners this year, Castillo said.
Citing the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Castillo said recipients are 60 years old and above; frail, sickly or with disability; no pension from Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI) or any other insurance company; no permanent source of income; and no regular support from family or relatives for his or her basic needs.
An eligible senior citizen has to present his or her valid identification card to be able to receive a social pension. (PNA)
