MABALACAT CITY -- At least 1,000 indigent senior citizens here have received their social pension from the City Government.
Mayor Cris Garbo, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), led the distribution of P1,500 cash to each of the elderly.
The pension pay-out covers the first quarter of 2019.
The P500 monthly pension is expected to provide the seniors funds for their basic needs, such as food and medicines.
Garbo said the assistance will also allow them motivated and active in any activity.
He added that the welfare of the city’s senior citizens has been among his priority concerns, in addition to the services accorded them such as medical and burial assistance.
As mandated by Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, those who are qualified to avail of the pension program are the Filipino elderly who are sickly, disabled, with no income or any other means of livelihood, no pension from private and government entities, and no regular support from relatives.
The number of pension beneficiaries will increased from 1,000 last year to 5000 later this year, Mayor Garbo added. (PR)