DSWD plan for elderly has support of city execs

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities and the town of Cordova support the move of officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to include younger indigent senior citizens in the coverage of the social pension program.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said providing more benefits to senior citizens is a welcome development adding that the city government also gives priority to their needs.

Cortes said the city government with the help of the private sector will conduct medical missions for senior citizens.

In Lapu-Lapu City, barangay Pajo captain Junard "Ahong" Chan said giving more benefits and financial assistance to senior citizens is good news for them.

He said the city government of Lapu-Lapu has funds for senior citizens but it cannot give them more because of limitations.

Former Cordova municipal councilor Greg Jumao-as, a consultant of Mayor Adelino Sitoy, said DSWD should address the needs of the senior citizens.

In the proposed budget for the social pension program for next year, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said her agency aims to lower the coverage age of indigent pensioners from the current 77 years old to 67 years old.

DSWD gives out P500 in monthly pension to senior citizens aged 77 and above. 

For 2015, DSWD hopes to get an increase so it can include senior citizens aged 67 years old, said Soliman.

The proposed budget for the Social Pension program for 2015 is P4,762,628.

This year's approved allocation for the Social Pension program is P2.9 billion which can cover 455,530 senior citizens.  (FREEMAN)