Thursday, May 28, 2015

Indigent elderlies receive pension from IGaCoS LGU



Island Garden City of Samal, May 28, 2015 - A total of 1,898 indigent senior citizens received a pension of P1,500 pesos for the first quarter of 2015 for the span of 3 months (January-March) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) under the  Senior Pension Program for the  three districts all over Samal Island from May 19-22.
The pensioners received  P500 pesos monthly in which the Payout will be given quarterly to them.

The said program was implemented under Section 5 of Republic Act 9994 otherwise known as Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further amending Republic Act  No. 7432, as amended, otherwise known as “an act to maximize the contribution of senior Citizens to nation building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes”. In other words indigents can receive additional government assistance in the form of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, which amounts to a monthly stipend of  P500.

For this year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) R.O. 11  added  1,011 beneficiaries  in IGaCoS   which gave happiness and hope for those indigent senior citizen who were not yet a member of the group in their barangay to benefit in the said program.

The cut off age of indigent senior citizen who can possibly qualify for the said program are elders ages 65 and above but as to the guidelines, elders ages 70 above who are not able to be part of the said program will be prioritized this year especially if they are not receiving any pension and is in need of help.
An 85 -year old woman named Hilaria Banac from Barangay Limao  was just one of the indigent senior citizen who was able to receive her three months  pension. According to her the said program seemed a blessing because she can now buy food, medicines and other necessities to sustain her daily needs.

According to focal person of senior citizen in Island Garden City of Samal Mrs. Jelly S. Richa ,deserving indigent senior citizens defines as any elderly who is sickly or with disability, without pension or permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs. (MLA Samal Info)

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