DSWD cleansing indigent seniors list

MANILA, Philippines — To ensure that only eligible seniors will receive a monthly subsidy of P500 from the government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is cleansing the list of beneficiaries of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program.

The DSWD said 75.5 percent or 3.4 million beneficiaries have so far been validated.  

President Duterte ordered the delisting of unqualified beneficiaries of the pension program after receiving several complaints.

The Commission on Audit (COA) also called out the DSWD on the matter.

Under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, those 60 years old and above; frail, sickly or with disability; with no pension from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association Inc. or any other insurance company; without permanent source of income, and no regular support from family or relatives for their basic needs are entitled to the subsidy.

The DSWD has collaborated with the SSS, GSIS, and PVAO to validate the list of indigent senior citizens.

The DSWD said it acknowledges the COA report to improve its system and correct lapses in operations. 

The agency said it would continue to collaborate with the audit body in responding to concerns on the program.