The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6) on Monday said 133,221 indigent senior citizens in the region received a total of PHP399.663 million in social pensions for the first quarter of 2025.
Each beneficiary received PHP1,000 per month or a total of PHP3,000 as provided under the Republic Act (RA) 11916 or An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Senior Citizens.
“The Social Pension Program reflects the DSWD’s commitment to supporting the well-being of senior citizens, ensuring they have the resources to live with dignity and security,” the DSWD-6 said in a statement.
As of March, the target beneficiaries, consisting of 52,407 men and 80,814 women, have received their full payment for the first quarter, it added.
In Negros Occidental, 15,318 beneficiaries received a total payout of PHP45.954 million; Aklan – 11,088 beneficiaries, PHP33.264 million; Antique – 1,463 beneficiaries, PHP4.389 million; Capiz – 22,308 beneficiaries, P66.924 million; Guimaras – 1,838 beneficiaries, PHP5.514 million; Iloilo Province – 61,587 beneficiaries, PHP184.761 million; Bacolod City – 5,972 beneficiaries, PHP17.916 million; and Iloilo City – 13,647 beneficiaries, PHP40.941 million.
The social pension was initially offered as a monthly stipend of PHP500, then increased to PHP1,000 starting January 2024 under RA 11916.
The program prioritizes frail, sickly, or disabled individuals without pensions or permanent sources of income and who do not receive financial assistance from relatives to meet their basic needs. (PNA)
