By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has disbursed a total of PHP399.66 million in social pensions to 133,220 senior citizens across Western Visayas in the first quarter of 2025.
By the end of March, all beneficiaries had received their full first-quarter payments.
Of the recipients, 52,407 were male and 80,814 were female.
The financial support is part of the Social Pension Program, which assists indigent senior citizens aged 60 and above to help them live with dignity and financial security.
The program was established under Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
It initially provided a monthly stipend of PHP500.
Following the passage of Republic Act 11916 in July 2022, the stipend was increased to PHP1,000 effective January 2024.
This means each eligible recipient now receives a quarterly payout of PHP3,000.
The program prioritizes vulnerable seniors, particularly those who are frail, ill or disabled, and those without pensions, regular income or financial support from family members.
The following is the provincial breakdown of beneficiaries and corresponding funds disbursed:
- Aklan: 11,088 beneficiaries – PHP33,264,000
- Antique: 1,463 beneficiaries – PHP4,389,000
- Bacolod City: 5,972 beneficiaries – PHP17,916,000
- Capiz: 22,308 beneficiaries – PHP66,924,000
- Guimaras: 1,838 beneficiaries – PHP5,514,000
- Iloilo: 61,587 beneficiaries – PHP184,761,000
- Iloilo City: 13,647 beneficiaries – PHP40,941,000
- Negros Occidental: 15,318 beneficiaries – PHP45,954,000
