ILOILO City — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disbursed more than P2.3 billion for the social pension of 385,925 senior citizens across Western Visayas for the first semester of the year, achieving a 99.99 percent distribution rate of the targeted beneficiaries.
According to Regional Director Carmelo Nochete, each qualified senior citizen received a monthly stipend of P1,000, totalling P6,000 for the semester.
“The remaining beneficiaries are expected to receive their pensions within the week,” said Nochete.
The breakdown of the beneficiaries is as follows:
* Aklan (46,142 seniors) – P276.85 million
* Antique (41,972 seniors) – P251.83 million
* Capiz (56,265 seniors) – P337.59 million
* Guimaras (14,767 seniors) – P88.60 million
* Iloilo City (13,676 seniors) – P82.06 million
* Iloilo Province (152,748) – P916.49 million
* Bacolod City (5,975 seniors) – P35.85 million
* Negros Occidental (54,380 seniors) – P326.28 million
For the upcoming second semester, the DSWD will change its distribution method to a monthly release instead of a lump sum, to ensure that the seniors have continuous financial support throughout the period.
“This decision was taken by the DSWD Central Office after observing the rapid depletion of funds by seniors, thus opting for monthly releases to ensure they have resources to meet their needs every month,” explained Nochete.
The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPICS) program, underpinned by Republic Act 994 and Republic Act No. 1191, provides P1,000 monthly to augment the expenses of indigent seniors who are sick, disabled, lack regular income, and do not receive any other pension.
The program’s implementation includes continuous validation of potential beneficiaries and payout processes to ensure only qualified seniors are recipients.
This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to safeguarding its most vulnerable citizens through enhanced social protection measures./PN
