ILOILO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6) is allocating P2.3 billion this year for social pension program of the elderly in Western Visayas region.
DSWD-6 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala said the P2.3 billion is intended for 394,256 senior citizens in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces.
“Our target is actually five times bigger than our coverage in 2016,” noted Geamala.
Last year, DSWD-6 only gave social pension to 78,706 senior citizens.
DSWD-6 Information Officer May Rago-Castillo added that the elderly is entitled to a social pension of P6,000 per year or P500 per month.
The bigger coverage is in preparation for DSWD-6’s preparation to fully implement the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. (Tara Yap)