Local News: DSWD R-G Release P26.6M Social Pension
Some 15,743 senior citizens in Western Visayas were able to avail of P26.6 milllion for their social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6, wherein the highest beneficiaries are from Iloilo followed by Negros Occidental.
Breakdown of releases: P9 million went to pensioners from Iloilo; P5.2 million for 3,528 elderly from Negros Occidental; P3.1 million for 2,077 elderly from Antique; P2.7 million for 1,835 elderly from Aklan; P2.5 million for 1,699 elderly from Capiz; and P874,500 for 583 elderly from Guimaras.
"We are glad that through the social pension, we are realizing the long-time dream for senior citizens to have benefits and privileges," said Judith Marte, focal person for the elderly.
Areas with the most number of pensioners are Lambunao with 341; Iloilo City, 294; Leon, 270; San Joaquin, 270; Kabankalan City, 224; and Sibalom 214.
Each elderly received P1,500 covering monthly stipends from January to March 2012.
Selection is based on the result of National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). Those who can avail are 77 years old and above; not receiving pension from GSIS, SSS or AFPMBAI and other private insurance companies; and without permanent source of income or regular support from relatives.
Social pension is the monthly stipend amounting to P500 to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens. It is in line with the fulfillment of the obligation of the government to protect the most vulnerable sector through social protection and for the implementation of Republic Act 9994.
It is aimed at improving the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens; to augment the capacity of indigent senior citizens to meet their daily subsistence and medical requirements; reduce incidence of hunger among indigent senior citizens and protect indigent senior citizens from neglect, abuse or deprivation.*
