The increase in the stipend of social pensioners might be implemented in 2023, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera said.
Republic Act 11916 or the law that increased the social pension of indigent senior citizens was passed on July 20.
From P500 pension released every quarter, the pension was increased to P1,000 monthly.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) will manage and implement the social pension program in accordance with RA 11350 which transferred from the DSWD the functions, programs, projects and activities for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged senior citizens.
The transition of the program has started second semester of 2022.
Consultations are being conducted by the DSWD and NCSC for the transition of the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens, including the Centenarian’s Program which grants cash gifts amounting to P100,000 to Filipinos who reached 100 years old.
To date, the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11916 are still being crafted by NCSC in consultation with DSWD, Department of Budget and Management, and other concerned government agencies, as well as DSWD-accredited non-government organizations and peoples’ organizations of senior citizens.
The DSWD-CAR is also preparing the documents and the existing system in managing 102,899 beneficiaries of the social pension program and 80 centenarians for 2023 in preparation for the transfer of implementation of the said programs to NCSC.
With the establishment of the NCSC, DSWD is expecting that all senior citizens will register in their localities. This will help the NCSC, LGU, and national government agencies in creating more services for them and programs that will maximize their full potential even in their golden years.
DSWD Regional Director Leo Quintilla is encouraging senior citizens to apply for the social pension program.
All senior citizens, regardless of their membership in barangay senior citizens associations, are encouraged to visit their local social welfare and development office for them to be assessed if they are eligible.
In case they are not eligible, at least they will be guided by social workers about other programs and services of the government for them, he added.
Per DSWD guidelines, senior citizens may become eligible for the social pension if they are frail and sickly; not receiving pension from the Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc., or any other insurance company; does not have a permanent source of income; and without regular support from family or relatives for his/her basic needs – this refers to the financial support provided by the family members or relatives to the senior citizen including family members working abroad, by blood or affinity, within the period of six months. For the third quarter of 2022, the DSWD has served a total of 97,554 senior citizens out of the 103,219 active beneficiaries. – Press release
