September 19, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is hopeful that the social pension for senior citizens will be given additional funding by Congress for the program’s implementation in 2025.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said more funds are needed as there are 612,277 waitlisted senior citizens who are not yet included, as of July 31, in the budget of the program this year and in 2025.
“Having more funds is crucial to ensure that all senior citizens, especially the poor, will receive necessary support from the government,” Gatchalian said.
For 2025, the DSWD proposed P49.81 billion for the social pension of four million indigent senior citizens, who stand to receive P1,000 monthly.
Gatchalian said the agency has P5.95 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, but the budget can only cover 490,000 waitlisted poor elderly.
He gave assurance that the DSWD would continue to work closely with the National Commission of Senior Citizens to ensure efficient implementation of social protection programs for the elderly sector.
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