Over 100,000 indigent senior citizens of Region 10 have received their stipend for the first semester of 2020 under the government’s Social Pension (SocPen) Program through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

As of June 17, 2020, a total of 120,683 beneficiaries from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental have received their six months’ worth of pension from January to June this year, amounting to more than P362 million. It covers 58.74% of the total 205,453 beneficiaries of the social pension.

SocPen is a program under Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” that provides a monthly stipend of P500 to qualified indigent senior citizens to augment their daily sustenance and other medical needs. Each social pensioner receives P3,000 on a semestral basis for six months’ worth of pension.

The conduct of payouts to every municipality in different provinces has ensured compliance with safety protocols and health standards.

Meanwhile, DSWD’s regular Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) has provided more than P92 million worth of financial assistance to more than 11 thousand clients in Northern Mindanao during the 1st and 2nd quarter this year.

Under AICS, target beneficiaries receive immediate intervention through outright cash assistance to individuals and families going through crisis situations or challenging circumstances. This includes rescued trafficked individuals, former rebels, distressed Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs).

DSWD has also assisted clients with COVID-19-related concerns through AICS, aside from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash subsidy. DSWD continues to assist individuals and families—especially the vulnerable and the disadvantaged in coping with the crisis during these unprecedented times.