DSWD gives social pension for poor elderly in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY––The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas has started the first quarter payout of the social pension to poor senior citizens in the region.

DSWD data in the region show that 211,897, or almost 58 percent of the total 365,908 beneficiaries, have received their social pension since the start of distribution last February.

Of the 211,897 beneficiaries, 87,336 were from Iloilo province, 29,114 from Aklan, 28,175 from Capiz, 25,434 from Negros Occidental, 19, 83 from Antique, 13,190 from Iloilo City, and 8,815 from Guimaras province.

“We are listening to the people, and we understand that our lolos and lolas need their social pension. This year, the payout will be quarterly,” said DSWD regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.

The agency noted that the beneficiaries would receive a total of P6,000 in a year but would be distributed quarterly, amounting to P1,500 per quarter.

The DSWD was optimistic that they would finish the first quarter distribution by the end of March.

Social pension is the additional government assistance to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens and reduce hunger.

The grant of this social pension is subject to review every two years by Congress in consultation with the DSWD.

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