The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Eight, thru Regional Director Nestor Ramos, announced today that all efforts are being done by the agency that the quarterly release of social pension for indigent senior citizens be done on time.

Referring to the cash distribution in the cities and municipalities, Director Ramos said that “only one percent of the whole of Region Eight is being handled by our Special Disbursing Officers while 99 percent, by the local government units (LGUs).” He explained that most of the funds, therefore, are transferred to the LGUs through its respective local treasurers.

Ramos disclosed that for the year alone, the region has a total allocation of Php393, 354, 000.00 for the Php 500.00 monthly stipend of some 65, 559 indigent senior citizens. The target pensioners has increased owing to the approval by the Senate and House of Representatives of the DSWD’s proposal to lower the age requirement from 77 years old and above to 65 years old and beyond.

Last year, there were only a total of 29, 235 DSWD social pensioners regionwide.

The DSWD Regional Director is seeking the support of LGUs in the prompt conduct of pay-outs so that the welfare of these poor senior citizens will not be sacrificed. “The stipend is merely to augment their daily subsistence like food as well as medicines, but this is a big help to them,” he pointed out.
Beneficiaries of the Social Pension Program are those senior citizens, aged 65 years and above who are without pension from GSIS/SSS or any government or private entity, sick or frail, or who have no regular support from family or relatives.