Around 2,210 indigent senior citizens from different barangays in Surigao City received their social pensions for the first quarter of 2026 during a two-day payout from March 4 to 5, the local government’s Public Information Office (PIO) bared Thursday.

Each beneficiary received PHP3,000, equivalent to a PHP1,000 monthly stipend for the months of January, February and March.

“The payout activities were conducted in every barangay by the personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region with the support of the City Social Welfare and Development Office,” the PIO said.

Gina, 32, who accompanied her 68-year-old mother during the payout in Barangay Rizal on Thursday, said her mother insisted on personally claiming her pension despite difficulty walking due to a mild stroke.

“She is experiencing some difficulty in walking due to a mild stroke, but she insisted that she would personally claim her pension,” Gina said.

She added that most of the stipend will go toward her mother’s maintenance medicines.

“We are very thankful for this program of the government, at least, the financial requirement for my mother’s medicine is augmented,” Gina said.

The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens is a regular DSWD program providing a monthly stipend of PHP1,000 to frail, sickly, or disabled senior citizens, based on Republic Act 11916. (PNA)