Cordillera Administrative Region-The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here encourages individuals aged 60 years old and above to register in senior citizen groups in their localities to open opportunities for the said individuals.
“We want to call on our elderly to avail of their rights as mandated by Republic Act 9994. We are in full support for their full participation in our society”, DSWD Field Office CAR OIC Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said.
Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2020 aims to recognize the rights of the senior citizens, motivate senior citizens to contribute to nation building and encourage their families and the communities to reaffirm their value. The law also mandates the establishment of health care and social welfare services for the improvement of their well-being.
“Our senior citizens or their families can coordinate with their Local Social Welfare and Development Offices to be fully informed on the benefits that can be availed by our elderly. They can also register in senior citizens associations or groups in their localities since being a part of one gives the senior citizen easier access to different programs and services created for them”, Director Quintilla said.
Meanwhile, as part of the Department’s resource augmentation to serve the senior citizens, DSWD Field Office CAR is currently serving around 91,264 senior citizens under the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens or Social Pension.
The program provides a monthly stipend of P500.00 to eligible senior citizens. The amount aims to improve the living condition of senior citizens by augmenting to their capacity to meet daily subsistence and medical requirements thus reducing incidence of hunger among senior citizens and protecting them from neglect, abuse or deprivation. The financial assistance is released every semester through the conduct of payout.
As stated in Memorandum Circular 04 s. 2019, eligible senior citizens are those who are frail, sickly or with disability, those without pension from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI), or other insurance company, no permanent source of income and no regular support from his/her family for his/her basic needs.
Meanwhile, the Program is working on filling up an additional 5,000 slots. Potential beneficiaries or their families can coordinate with the Local Social Welfare and Development Office in their area for inquiries on the registration and application for the program. Others may opt to visit the DSWD Field Office CAR or join the onsite registration schedules provided that they bring the following documentary requirements for faster facilitation of their application:
- OSCA ID/Birth Certificate,
- 2 1×1 ID picture, and
- Application form from LGU.
While the registration for new beneficiaries is ongoing, payout for the Social Pension second semester stipend has already started.
In view of the current quarantine protocols, the DSWD FO CAR has been in close coordination with the various local government units for the implementation of the Social Pension Program. Various health protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face mask or face shield will also be observed during the payout. #DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Jezebel Gumatay and Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva
