LGUs to distribute pension for seniors

CEBU, Philippines - As part of the state social welfare agency’s new scheme that aims to speed up delivery of services, local government units are now designated to distribute the pension for indigent senior citizens.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 recently announced the decentralization of the disbursement of funds for its Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

“The DSWD introduces this new scheme in order to fast-track the distribution of cash assistance to the beneficiaries,” said regional director Mercedita Jabagat.

Jabagat added that this might be an addition to the several tasks of the LGUs, but she is grateful for the willingness and support especially of the local chief executives.

Currently, 59 of the 132 LGUs in Central Visayas region qualified for the fund transfer.

These identified LGUs have no unliquidated funds from any of the DSWD programs.

Among the requirements the municipalities or cities need to comply with are project proposal, Sangguniang Bayan resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with DSWD, and a signed MOA.

A total of P208,752,000 is allocated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the region.

For 2014, DSWD-7 identified a total of  34,792 beneficiaries for the said program.

To ensure smooth implementation of the program, the regional office and the LGU will conduct monitoring activities.

DSWD social workers will conduct spot checking while representatives from the field office will witness during the pay-out.

The social pension is one of the social protection programs of DSWD that provides P500 monthly stipends to indigent seniors.

Qualified for the program are those 77 years old and above; frail, sickly, or have disability; not receiving pension from Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, or Veterans Pension; and do not have permanent source of income or regular support from relatives.

The monthly financial assistance aims to improve the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens by helping in their needs such as medicines and food. —/NSA (FREEMAN)