TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) – About 4,373 senior citizens of this city are set to receive their social pension as the city government under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez through its City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will start releasing the government stipend this coming Monday, February 5, 2018.
The release of the government stipend will continue until the last week of February.
According to the CSWDO, the pension payout amounting to P1, 500 covers the last quarter of 2017 (October to December).
The cashier’s division of the City Treasurer’s Office will facilitate the release of the government stipend. Claim stubs and the schedule of payout per area were earlier disseminated to the barangays.
Social pensioners use the monthly stipend of P500 to buy basic necessities such as food and medicines. Likewise, it was learned that the allowance keeps the elderly recipients motivated and active in any activity related to their sector.
Per the criteria set by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 those who are qualified to avail of the pension program are: Filipino citizens, sickly, disabled, no income or any other means of livelihood, no pension from private and government pension bodies, and no regular support from relatives.
Indigent senior citizens have to submit the following requirements to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) or the CSWDO to avail of the social pension: Filled out application form (copies are available at the OSCA and CSWDO), copy of baptismal or live birth certificates and barangay certification, stating the applicant is a bonafide resident of the barangay.
The welfare of senior citizens is a priority concern of Mayor Romualdez as manifested by the services available for the elderly residents of Tacloban at the CSWDO, among them the provision of financial assistance, medical assistance, and burial assistance.
The assessment of possible recipients is handled by the CSWDO while the pension applications are accepted at the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs
(HENRY JAMES G.ROCA)
