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Lawmaker seeks release of aid for seniors every 3 months
Some PHP23.2 billion was allocated in the 2020 national budget for the senior citizen assistance program with three million beneficiaries.
(Pexels photo)
MANILA – A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Friday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to release the PHP500 monthly pension for millions of indigent senior citizens every three months, instead of every six months.
In filing House Resolution 1047, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the release of pensions every three months is necessary to support senior citizens during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Due to lockdowns and quarantines in many parts of the country, many businesses struggled, resulting in loss of jobs for many Filipinos, including senior citizens who are still productive members of society,” Rodriguez said.
“Now more than ever, these indigent senior citizens need financial assistance from the government.”
He said the government should provide timely assistance under its social pension program, noting that six months is too long for the beneficiaries to wait for such assistance.
“They need it to augment whatever money they have for their maintenance medicines, food and other essentials,” Rodriguez said.
Under a DSWD memorandum circular, the PHP500 monthly financial aid is to be given “every six months or PHP3,000 per semester.”
Some PHP23.2 billion was allocated in the 2020 national budget for the senior citizen assistance program with three million beneficiaries.
Rodriguez has also urged the Social Security System (SSS) to release the additional PHP1,000 increase in the monthly pension of private sector retirees.
He reminded SSS officials that they promised to give the adjustment last year, which means, he said, it is now delayed by a year.
