A total of 700 newly enrolled senior citizens from the city’s 70 barangays received their first PHP1,500 social pension from the local government on Wednesday, expanding the city’s financial assistance to more than 4,000 elderly residents.

Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)-Legaspi head Nelia Valladolid said the additional beneficiaries, 10 senior citizens selected from each barangay, were included in the city’s locally funded social pension program through an initiative by Mayor Hisham Ismail to extend assistance to more elderly residents.

Valladolid said the latest payout marked the first disbursement of financial assistance to the 700 newly enrolled pensioners, who will now join the more than 4,000 existing beneficiaries supported by the city government.

She said the expansion aims to reach more senior citizens who can benefit from additional financial support, particularly to meet their daily necessities and health-related expenses.

“The senior citizens are happy because they have also been given the opportunity to join the local government’s social pension program. The assistance will help them with their maintenance medications, vitamins, food, and other daily needs,” Valladolid said.

For beneficiaries, the additional pension provides some relief amid ongoing expenses for daily living and healthcare needs.

Rosalyn Altea, 75, of Barangay Capantawan, expressed gratitude for being included in the program, saying the PHP1,500 assistance would help supplement her budget for medicines and daily expenses.

“I am happy and thankful because this will help with my expenses for maintenance medicines and daily needs. It is a big help,” Altea said.

Similarly, Gregorio Abrasado, 62, of Barangay Victory Village, thanked the city government for providing financial assistance, calling the amount a significant addition to his daily budget.

“First of all, we are very thankful to the mayor. This PHP1,500 is a big help for our everyday expenses, maintenance medicines and other needs,” Abrasado said. (PNA)