The number of beneficiaries per headcount and corresponding amounts of assistance per province were tallied as follows: Agusan del Norte with 44,922 beneficiaries at P262,247,500; Agusan del Sur with 48,297 beneficiaries at P283,467,000; Province of Dinagat Islands with 11,800 beneficiaries at P68,398,000; Surigao del Norte with 36,774 beneficiaries at P215,962,000; and Surigao del Sur with 46,217 beneficiaries at P269,365,500.
Libang added that the SocPen program is just one of the many programs of DSWD to help and provide the necessary aid to the vulnerable sectors in the region, particularly the senior citizens.
She further explained that the NCSC has been constantly monitoring the progress of the program and encouraged those senior citizens who are yet to register to visit their website and register online to avail of the benefits offered by the government.
Regional Social Pension Unit (RSPU) Focal Person Rachel Bade also confirmed a monthly stipend increase for seniors from P500 to P1,000.
“This positive development stems from Republic Act 11916, also known as the Social Pension for Indigent Seniors Act, which officially became law on July 30, 2022. The Central Office's memorandum on January 4, 2024, solidified the implementation of this much-needed adjustment,” Bade said.
Jessie Catherine Aranas, chief of the Protective Services Division (PSD) of DSWD-Caraga, thanked all its partners for their unwavering support. Emphasizing the pivotal role of these collaborators in the program's success against national targets, Aranas expressed her hopes for an even stronger partnership in 2024.
“The DSWD, being the chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for Senior Citizens, together with its members from the different government agencies and private sector, will gear up efforts and initiatives to serve the best interests of our elderly persons in the region,” remarked Aranas.
“We look forward to having more senior citizens registered so they can also enjoy the benefits from the government,” Aranas added.
The SocPen program is aligned with the government's commitment to social protection for the most vulnerable sector, supporting the full implementation of Republic Act 9994, amended by Republic Act 11916, the Social Pension for Indigent Seniors Act.
The law provides a monthly stipend of P1,000, aiming to enhance the daily subsistence and address the medical needs of indigent senior citizens. (JPG, PIA-Caraga, with a report from DSWD-Caraga)
