DAVAO CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Davao region assisted 136,067 indigent senior citizens in 2017 through its Social Pension Program.
This was bared by Lywellyn Bibera, DSWD focal person for Social Pension in the Davao region.
The number of pensioners significantly increased from 85,532 social pensioners in 2016. The amount of the social pensions released by DSWD 11 to qualified pensioners in 2017 reached P816,402,000 in six cities and 43 municipalities, Bibera said.
Bibera added Davao del Norte posted the largest number of recipients with 27,312; Davao Oriental, 26,407; Compostela Valley, 26,265; Davao City, 22,619; Davao del Sur, 20,889; and Davao Occidental with 12,575.
The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program, Republic Act (RA) 9995, addresses the clamor for social protection to the most vulnerable older persons, as well as backs the full implementation of RA 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
The monthly stipend of P500, which took effect on January 2011, augments the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens.
Potential recipients are senior citizens (60 years old and above) who are frail, sickly or have disabilities; not receiving pension from the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, or Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; and do not have a permanent source of income or regular support from family or relatives.
The list of potential social pensioners was based on the results of the DSWD Listahanan national assessment, which was validated by the local government units (LGUs).
Qualified senior citizens not included in the DSWD Listahanan data, but recommended by the LGU, are assessed by the LGU social worker. Payment is based on the budget allocation per municipality.
Under the program, the DSWD monitors and provides technical assistance to the LGUs through the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO) and conducts orientation, advocacy activities and meetings with the LGU Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and barangay senior citizens associations.
Meanwhile, 107 centenarians in the Davao region received a P100,000 cash gift last year.
Centenarians, poor or rich, are entitled to receive the “centenarian gift,” as well as recognition from the government for reaching 100 years under RA 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.