DSWD releases P9.49-M social pension in Cordillera for 1Q of 2012

By Carlito C. Dar

Friday 25th of May 2012

BAGUIO CITY, May 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) has released over P9.49 million beneficiaries of the government’s Social Pension Program in the Cordillera region covering their pension for the first quarter of this year.

DSWD-CAR Regional Information officer Dennis Rogerson Fernandez, in an interview over PIA Hour Radio Program, disclosed that the program now covers 6,328 senior citizens in the Cordillera. The figure shows a 77 percent increase compared to the 3,566 program beneficiaries in 2011.

The Social Pension Program has 1,804 beneficiaries in Abra; 853 in Apayao; 127 in Baguio City; 868 in Benguet; 732 in Ifugao; 1,087 in Kalinga, and 857 in Mt. Province.

According to Fernandez, the P9.49 million fund covers the pension of the beneficiaries from January to March of 2012 at P500 per month to augment their basic goods and medicine need as provided for under the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Acts. He said they have already released over 90 percent to the beneficiaries.

Priority target of the program are indigent, frail and sickly senior citizens who are 70 years old and above. For Cordillera, the DSWD has a total allocation of over P37.96 million for this year.

Meanwhile, Fernandez also disclosed that DSWD staff, in coordination with Tineg Mayor Edwin Crisologo, are set to go to the remote town of Tineg, Abra,to bring the social pension of the 46 program beneficiaries in the area as well as other social services and programs of DSWD such as the supplementary feeding program for day care pupils.

Tineg, one of the farthest towns in the region, is seldom reached by government programs not only due to its remoteness, undeveloped roads and bridges but also due to community conflicts. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)