MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) marked the first payout of the increased social pension for indigent senior citizens on February 2, while First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos in attendance.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Republic Act No. 11916, which increases the pension of senior citizens is to honor and acknowledgment of the sacrifices of senior citizens
“Ang batas na ito ay parangal sa mga sakripisiyo, malasakit, at pagmamahal na walang sawang ipinagkakaloob ng ating mga lolo at lola,” Gatchalian explained.
Republic Act No. 11916 increased the monthly pension of indigent senior citizens from P500 to P1,000.
“Your empathy in action, integrity in service, and unity in community are the guiding principles that make the DSWD an invaluable force for good in our nation,” the First Lady said.
Some 4,085,066 indigent senior citizens are covered by the social pension program for the year 2024, the DSWD said.