DSWD-13 disburses P221-M aid for indigent seniors in 1Q

BUTUAN CITY – At least 36,847 indigent senior citizens in Caraga Region were served during the first quarter of this year under the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program, the region's Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-13) said Thursday.

In a statement, DSWD-13 also said P221 million worth of stipends were disbursed to the beneficiaries during the period.

"As the payouts continue, schedules for the remaining municipalities and cities in the Caraga Region are coordinated through the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) so they can further disseminate information to the beneficiaries," the agency said.

It added that the validation and revalidation of beneficiaries at the level of local government units are ongoing to ensure the accurate allocation of slots.

Most of the beneficiaries who received their stipends from January to March this year were from the provinces of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte.

"The Caraga Regional Social Pension Unit (RSPU) of the DSWD-13 also requested the beneficiaries to stay at home and remain accessible to claim stipends to avoid delisting and for proper identification during validation," the DSWD-13 said.

The RSPU also reminded program beneficiaries to adhere only to official announcements from the DSWD-13, the LSWDOs, and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs in their respective LGUs. (PNA)