The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 (Western Visayas) said on Tuesday senior citizens have started receiving their social pensions this month despite the enhanced community quarantine.
The DSWD 6 has already provided the check for the first-semester social pension to 133 local government units amounting to PHP1,097,724,000, Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, DSWD 6 regional director, said in a virtual presser.
“As of yesterday, 95 LGUs claimed the checks for senior citizens. According to the latest report, 35,166 senior citizens have already received their social pension,” she said.
According to the data of the region, the total target beneficiaries for the elderly’s social pension is at 365,908. Eligible senior citizens are entitled to PHP3,000 per semester, or PHP6,000 per year.
Macapobre told local government units that are yet to distribute the social pension to observe health protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
She said a certain city in Negros Occidental distributed the cash assistance to senior citizens without observing social distancing.
“The DSWD and the local government work for you to receive, in the very shortest time, this financial assistance. This is a small amount and life is more important. That is why we appeal to you to follow the protocols set by the Department of Health,” she said, citing that the senior citizens are the most vulnerable to the virus because most have co-morbid factors.
Based on the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, recipients are 60 years old and above; frail, sickly or with a disability; no pension from the Government Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Force and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. or any other insurance company; no permanent source of income and have no regular support from family or relatives for his or her basic needs.
An eligible senior citizen has to present his or her valid identification card to be able to receive a social pension. (PNA)