THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has recognized the efforts of the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) of Guagua for effectively serving its senior pensioners.
DSWD Regional Director Gemma Gabuya awarded a certificate of recognition to the municipality for achieving a 100 percent implementation in the social pension for seniors in the said town for 2018.
The DSWD also recognized the town for its speedy issuance of liquidation reports for the second quarter of 2018.
Mayor Dante Torres said that the recognition speaks highly of his government's commitment to transparency, accountability and fast delivery of basic services and government programs.
"We commend the efforts of our MSWDO and the support of the DSWD," Torres said.
Under the law, social pensioners, Pantawid Pamilya, and Listahanan-identified poor households are entitled to receive the assistance.
The Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens is one of the provisions under Section 5 of Republic Act 9994 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
The social pension is the additional government assistance in the amount of P500 monthly stipend to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of needy senior citizens.
To qualify for the social pension program, a senior citizen must be 77 years old and above, frail, sickly and disabled, without a regular source of income and/or support from any member of the family, and not receiving other pension benefits from government and private agencies.
The qualified senior citizens may apply at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), the City or Municipal Social Welfare Development Office or a DSWD Regional Office. Applicants or their representatives must bring an OSCA ID, birth certificate and certificate of indigency upon the application of the program.