In a recent Story Conference on Social Pension, two beneficiaries give their interesting narration of their life. Despite their old age, they still work to live because they don’t depend on the DSWD cash assistance alone.

“Magtinda, bitay-bitay hin kendi ngan chitcheria,” ( I sell small stuffs placed in hanging plastic bags, like candies and junk food in minute packs) Lola Josefina Kileste, 80, of Barangay Mahayag, Mahaplag, Leyte says of her daily living. Her Social Pension of Php1,500.00 every three months is partly used to add capital for the tiny sari-sari store she has, and for food and medicines. A widow, she lives with her son who does not have a stable job. She is all – out praises for the DSWD – at least this is already good enough, Lola Josefina says, and to the local government unit – “waray pinili,” referring to the indiscriminate selection of Social Pension beneficiaries.

This 78 – year – old man is into growing flowers, in the mountain barangay of Bairo, Sitio Buenavista of Padre Burgos of Southern Leyte province. Though old, Federico Espinosa still struggles making a living, with a person with disability – son under his care. He is thankful for the help done by the DSWD, when the local government unit referred his son to the former agency for a vocational training, at the Department’s Area Vocational Training in Cebu City. All the more he is thankful now for being a social pensioner. His gratitude also extends to the municipal government – “way pinili” (not choosy), when he was recommended as a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Social Pension Program. With old age, the senior citizen reveals experiencing increasing body pains such that the monthly cash grant of Php500.00 is being used to help in his ailment and to nourish his body with nutritious food. #DSWDMayMalasakit@dswdserves