The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI (DSWD6) commends the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Aklan for the successful implementation of localized social pension for the elderly.

“We appreciate Local Government Units that implement programs for senior citizens. These are good initiatives that complement the national government’s pursuit to ensure the welfare of the elderly,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, regional director.

For Aklan, implementation started in 2017. Its localized Social Pension program has been providing monthly stipends of P500 to eligible senior citizens who are not included in the national government-funded Social Pension program. This has been a significant effort by the provincial government to support indigent senior citizens in Aklan.

An ordinance was passed for its implementation, specifically, General Ordinance No. 2022-018, otherwise known as the, “Indigent Senior Citizens, Centenarians, and CWDs Social Amelioration Ordinance.”

The social pension provincial fund distributed reached P874,500 for 187 indigent senior citizens in 2017.

It increased in the year 2018 and 2019 at P1,518,000 with 253 beneficiaries.

In year 2020, P1,488,000 was released for 248 beneficiaries. In Year 2021, the total amount of P1,644,000 was distributed for 274 beneficiaries.

In year 2022, P1,884,000 was disbured to 314 beneficiaries.

For 2023, it has served 1,435 beneficiaries with a total amount of P2,122,500. In year, 2024, P1,066,500 was allocated to 711 beneficiaries. The program is currently being implemented.

With the increasing number of beneficiaries from 2017 to the present, the Provincial Government of Aklan is continuously providing the necessary budget for the social pension program with the legislative support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Implementation is led by the Aklan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Evangeline Gallega.

Aklan Provincial Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores has consistently put the agenda of Elderly welfare and protection to help the indigent senior citizens who are Akeanons.

DSWD SOCIAL PENSION

Meanwhile, DSWD continues in implementation of the Social Pension program this year under the leadership of Director Nochete along with Protective Service Division Chief Katherine Joy Malagad Lamprea and Social Pension Unit Head Marien Grace Tamonan.dswd6 /MRT/Reamae Velasco, BA Journalism–WVSU

Credits: Aklan PSWD