Some 2,762 senior citizens will start receiving a monthly five hundred peso – stipend next year, as lifetime financial assistance from the national government, the DSWD Field Office Eight Regional Director, Leticia Diokno, reported today.

Diokno is referring to the Social Pension Program being implemented by the DSWD nationwide, priority of whom are 77 – year old senior citizens who are without a monthly social pension from any government or private institution, or who don’t have a regular support from family or relatives, or are frail and sickly.

She explained that the number of additional would – be pensioners is true to all regions, for the reason that there is not enough funds of the government. As of December, this year, there are some 14, 870 elderly citizens eligible for social pension who are considered “waitlisted.”

Rose Valeriano, social worker for the program, revealed that those in the list have been assessed and validated by their local social welfare and development officers, and chairmen of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) as qualified. However, the social worker added, they were lined – up according to those who are needing the most.

Valeriano further revealed that there were those in the list who were accommodated, as the slots have been vacant, either by a death or delisting of a social pensioner.

Presently, there are some 13, 882 senior citizens benefiting of the program. The number represents 98 % of the total target of 14, 294 would – be beneficiaries.