“This means that for the whole year, instead of the previous amount of P6,000 per year, they will be receiving P12,000 Social Pension,” Nochete said.

According to the DSWD regional chief, the provisions of Republic Act No. 11916 or the Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens and Appropriating funds therefor, amending for the purpose Republic Act no. 7432, entitled “An act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation-building, grant benefits, and special privileges, and for other purposes," will already be effective this year, increasing the social pension of indigent senior citizens from P500 to P1,000 per month.

Earlier, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez announced, in a separate press release, the increase in the monthly stipend of senior citizens starting the second month of this year.

“We expect that the distribution of the social pension for the first semester with its increased amount will commence this February 2024,” Lopez noted.

Social pension is the additional government assistance to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens.

Nochete added that the grant of social pension is subject to a review every two years by Congress, particularly as to the amount of pension.

“This latest development of increasing the pension is a milestone in elderly care. We thank our legislators for this initiative. Now, the elderly will be enjoying it as this comes into reality,” he noted.

Eighty-six-year-old Florencia Estrologo of Laua-an town in Antique is delighted to hear the news knowing that the amount can further support her maintenance medicines for hypertension, milk, and other needs.