The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disbursed a sum of Php22.3 billion to 3.7 million indigent senior citizens as social pensions for the first half of 2024.
On Wednesday, DSWD spokesperson and assistant secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the distribution of the said pension increased to Php1,000 from Php500.
The Social Pension or SocPen is a program under the Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” which aids indigent senior citizens with their daily subsistence and medical needs. The financial assistance would be given to them monthly.
In 2022, Republic Act 11916, or the Act Increasing the Social Pension of Senior Citizens Act of 2010 lapsed into law, giving them entitlement to a monthly stipend of Php1,000.
Distribution would occur on a semestral basis, accumulating Php6,000 per semester, or Php1,000 per month for six months.
DSWD spokesperson Dumlao said those who are qualified to receive the social pension must be elderly aged 60 and above, are frail, sickly, or with a disability, and without any pension from other government agencies.
She added that those without a permanent source of income, financial assistance, or compensation to support their basic needs are also eligible for the said pension.
