The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VI (DSWD6) has delisted a total of 13,468 elderly beneficiaries in the Social Pension program. Of this number, 1,327 are found to have pension from SSS and GSIS; 830 are receiving honorarium or salary; 331 are receiving regular support from their family; while the rest died or transferred residence and unlocated.

“This is the reason why we are revalidating the list. We know there are more elderly who need the pension,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, regional director.

He emphasized that, “there are senior citizens who do not have families who could support them. Worse, they also do not have pension from SSS, GSIS or other entities. They are the ones who should be prioritized under the Social Pension Program”

GSIS, SSS PENSIONERS CANNOT RECEIVE DSWD SOCIAL PENSION

The director emphasized that SSS, GSIS or PVAO pensioners, or those receiving pension from other entities, even if they are receiving little amount, cannot receive the pension from DSWD because it is expressly stated in the guidelines.

The prohibition as to those having pension from SSS, GSIS and PVAO is provided in Memorandum Circular 06 Series 2024 entitled, “Enhanced Omnibus Guidelines in the Program Implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.”

Reasons for removing a senior citizen on the list of DSWD Social Pensioners include: a. death of the beneficiary; b. if he or she has a pension from SSS, GSIS, PVAO, AFPMBAI or other insurance company which includes retirement pension, survivorship pension and disability pension; c. if he or she has a regular income or salary and financial support from family or relatives, includes honorarium or grants received from any agencies/institutions; d. cannot be located in the last known address within two consecutive semesters and; e. transfer of residence of the beneficiary.

Director Nochete also added, “The purpose of the program is to augment the daily subsistence and medical requirements of the beneficiaries, reduce incidence of hunger among them, and mitigate the cause of neglect abuse or deprivation among the indigent senior citizens.”/DSWD6/Bernaline Seisa, BA Journalism-WVSU