The local government, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development released a total of P9.240 million to some 6,160 qualified senior citizens as Social Pension.
The amount was allocated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) relative to the implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program of the department. Under the program, each indigent senior citizens were allocated P500.00 monthly as subsidy and is released quarterly at P1,500.00.
The Social Pension is designed in order that the poorest senior citizens are covered and protected from loss of income and unemployment as a result of illness, injury, disability and harvest failure among others.
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Mrs. Rosalinda Mueda explained that those senior citizens who are receiving pensions from the GSIS, SSS and PVAO among others and those working with fixed salaries could not avail of the program.
“The program has been successful and in one way or the other have helped in the daily food subsistence, medical and other physiological needs of the indigent social pension beneficiaries,” Mrs. Mueda said. ABM/RJN