Over 60 percent of seniors got aid thru fund transfer

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 has reported that about 181,044 beneficiaries have already received their increased social pension stipend for the first semester using the fund transfer payout scheme.

The number is 60.52% of the 299,737 target beneficiaries in Central Visayas, according to the April 2024 data from DSWD-7.

DSWD-7 said that the increased stipend of P1,000 that is set to be released every semester has  prompted them to fast-track the distribution using either direct payout or by transfer of funds through local government units.

During the consultation dialogue with all of the 132 LGUs in the region earlier this year, the DSWD-7 got a 97% commitment of support to adopt the fund transfer to have a fast and more efficient distribution of stipends.

Most of the LGUs--46 in Bohol; 24 in Negros Oriental; five in Siquijor; and all 53 in Cebu Province--- preferred the fund transfer scheme. The remaining LGUs will use the direct payout, which DSWD-7 will facilitate.

Through fund transfer, senior citizens will benefit by having the stipend delivered directly to them using the logistics and personnel of their respective LGUs. Unlike the DSWD direct payout, the LGU stipend distribution will expedite through a simultaneous payout across the region, with funds directly downloaded to the LGUs. DSWD will provide technical assistance and resource augmentation when needed.

Fund transfer also gives the LGU more value for having direct access to the distribution, mobilizing their resources, and having to choose their payout schedules at their preferred venues.

DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero believes that it is more efficient than direct payout because beneficiaries will enjoy their pension on time once the LGUs receive the downloaded funds.

“For those beneficiaries who cannot claim their stipend during LGU-initiated payouts, they can claim it at the OSCA or LSWDO offices and need not wait for the next payout schedule,” she added.

The department emphasized that while this gives a convenient approach to poor senior citizens, beneficiary representation will no longer be allowed. Authorization letters will not be recognized unless there are cases that may prohibit a senior citizen from claiming their pensions physically.

One of the best practices of LGUs is the house-to-house delivery of stipends to beneficiaries in critical conditions like the bedridden, frail, or sickly. This strategy employed can be more beneficial to senior citizens in difficult situations, so they can save the transportation cost to the venue and use it for their maintenance medicines or food subsistence instead.

Additionally, this can give the beneficiaries a sense of importance in the presence of their LGU personnel and allow them to express what other needs they have aside from the stipend.

DSWD-7 added that Social Pension currently has a record of 53,404 indigent senior citizens who have already been validated and qualified to be included in the program but are still on the waiting list due to the limited number of slots available.

This number grew by 27.92% compared to the last report in January 2024. — (FREEMAN)