The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 8 (Eastern Visayas) is eyeing the release of PHP3.49 billion in social pensions to indigent seniors this year, collaborating with local government units (LGUs).

Lawyer Jonalyndie Chua, DSWD-8 information officer, said the program will benefit about 291,507 senior citizens who are not receiving any pension from the government or private firms.

“This year, the DSWD field office reaffirms our commitment to beneficiaries and stakeholders through the sustained and strengthened implementation of the program. We have been preparing for the release of funds to LGUs for the upcoming year under the Transfer of Funds (ToF) modality,” Chua told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

Under the ToF modality, DSWD transfers the budget for social protection programs directly to LGUs. This method ensures faster, more efficient distribution of stipends to beneficiaries by reducing logistical bottlenecks.

“Our LGUs are in a better position to distribute the assistance since they are aware of the situation in their localities, such as the distance of communities from the payout centers, availability of senior citizens, and local events,” Chua added.

Each indigent senior citizen receives a stipend of PHP1,000 per month for the entire year. The fund is released to recipients quarterly.

Pursuant to the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens serves as a government intervention aimed at improving the living conditions of poor elders.

The fund augments their capacity to meet daily subsistence and medical needs, reducing the incidence of hunger and preventing neglect, abuse, or deprivation.

In 2025, the DSWD-8 released PHP3.31 billion in social pension funds to over 276,000 seniors listed in the program. (PNA)