CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — Around 34,649 senior citizens in the whole province of Northern Samar received government’s social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), according to DSWD Sub-Office Team Head Ma. Lucila Montilla on Saturday, August 19.
Each beneficiary received P500 per month as social pension or a lump sum of P3,000 per person for every semester.
According to Montilla, the eligibility criteria for the social pension include being an indigent senior citizen who is frail, sickly, or has a disability. They must also lack a pension or a permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from relatives to support their basic needs.
Mamerto Adan Nalazon, an 84-year-old from Barangay Macagtas, expressed gratitude for the government’s assistance, which he has been benefiting from for several years.
To ensure that no indigent senior citizens are overlooked, the project development officer ensures that the lists submitted by Municipal Social Development Officers, validated through barangay officials, are verified before being forwarded to the national office for funding.
Beyond the social pension for indigent citizens, all senior citizens are entitled to a 20% discount on goods, medicines, and services as mandated by RA 9994, as well as a P100,000 reward for centenarians. (MMP/ADiaz/PIA Northern Samar)
