DSWD Soccsksargen, Cotabato gov’t sign agreement for elderly stipend program

DSWD and local government officials sign a memorandum of agreement.  Photo from DSWD XII

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) in Region XII and the provincial government of Cotabato have signed a new agreement on implementing the Social Pension Program, which provides financial subsidies to the elderly.

In a social media post on Thursday, the regional DSWD said that the Memorandum of Agreement on implementing Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and stockpiling of relief supplies had been signed.

“The DSWD regional office will prepare the master list of beneficiaries which were endorsed by the local government units (LGUs) while the provincial government will take charge of the payroll preparation, disbursing of fund subsidies direct to beneficiaries and liquidation,” DSWD Regional Head Loreto Cabaya Jr. said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Labinia Sarao, DSWD Central Office’s point person for senior citizen welfare, said that the local government units are entrusted with identifying possible beneficiaries using waitlisted data.

The agency stated that the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens is one of the provisions stated under Republic Act 9994, commonly known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The agency has designated P575 million in two tranches for payment to the Cotabato province, led by Governor Emmylou Mendoza. – Kimberly D. Albaño, INQUIRER.net intern

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