650 Senior Citizens in Bacolod Receive P1.95-M Social Pension

Six hundred fifty (650) senior citizens received a total of PHP1.95 million in government social pension from the city government during the turnover rites on Monday, facilitated by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) here.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and DSSD Head Pacita Tero led the distribution to the beneficiaries from various barangays.

Each senior citizen received a total of PHP3,000, or PHP500 each month covering six months.

The age requirement of beneficiaries has been lowered to 60 years with additional funds as provided for by Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Originally, only senior citizens aged 77 and above received the pension, but the age was later lowered to 65 and then 60 years old.

An elderly will also qualify as program beneficiary if he or she is sickly, frail and with disability, has no regular source of income, as well as have no financial support from family members and pension from the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. (PNA)