By David Vera
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed PHP3.15 billion in social pension benefits to indigent senior citizens across Eastern Visayas in 2024, aiding over 270,000 elderly individuals in the region.
The DSWD-Eastern Visayas regional office reported that the disbursements were allocated to six provinces, with PHP1.66 billion released in the first half of the year, PHP813.36 million in the third quarter, and PHP673.59 million in the final quarter. Funds were distributed under the transfer of funds modality scheme, a system enabling local government units (LGUs) to directly manage the disbursement of benefits on a semestral basis.
The breakdown of funds per province revealed Leyte as the largest recipient with PHP1.35 billion, followed by Samar with PHP526.86 million, Northern Samar with PHP387.84 million, Southern Leyte with PHP348.37 million, Eastern Samar with PHP295.86 million, and Biliran with PHP159.02 million.
The social pension program, guided by Republic Act 11916, provides PHP1,000 monthly stipends to qualified beneficiaries. This law, enacted in July 2022, doubled the previous monthly allowance of PHP500 to support senior citizens’ needs more comprehensively.
To qualify, recipients must be aged 60 or older, classified as frail and sickly, and without pensions from the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, or private insurance entities. Additionally, they must lack regular income or financial support from family members.
The DSWD emphasized the efficiency of the transfer of funds modality, describing it as a cost-effective system that ensures streamlined and timely distribution of benefits. The program underscores the government’s commitment to providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable elderly population in Eastern Visayas.