The Department of Social Welfare and Development will release the social pension of indigent senior citizens every three months, instead of the current bi-annual schedule, starting next year.
Starting 2022, beneficiaries of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens will receive their P500 monthly stipend on a quarterly basis pursuant to DSWD Memorandum Circular 16.
The DSWD said the payout will be facilitated by special disbursing officers in coordination with local government units.
Social pension beneficiaries affected by the restrictions may send their authorized representatives to claim the stipend, the DSWD said in a statement.
To be presented are the original and photocopy of the representative’s valid ID; pensioner’s valid ID; authorization letter, indicating the representative’s legal name; and certification from the barangay that it is on lockdown.
As of September, the DSWD has released the pension to more than 3.07 million beneficiaries, or 80.19 percent of its total target for 2021.
The agency is also exploring other modes of delivery, such as cash cards, to fast-track the release of the social pension.
It is coordinating with the Land Bank of the Philippines regarding the application, production, and actual implementation of cash cards to make the release of the stipends more convenient.
Other service providers or payment facilities are also being considered. – PNA
