The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Davao Region (DSWD-11) is providing in advance 66,702 indigent senior citizens here with their social pensions for July to December 2023.

In an interview with Philippine News Agency on Wednesday, DSWD-11 social marketing unit information officer Ezri Coda Jr. said the ongoing Aug. 7-18 payout targets the seniors in the city’s three districts

The beneficiaries per district are 17,579 (District 1), 21, 682 (District 2), and 27, 441 (District 3).

“It is PHP500 per month, and they will receive PHP3,000 for six months,” Coda said.

Under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, eligible senior citizens will receive PHP500 per month distributed quarterly.

However, based on the Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 17, series of 2022, the release of the social pension was changed to twice a year instead of every quarter.

Coda said the semestral social pension payout ensures vulnerable seniors receive essential aid, contributing to their well-being and quality of life.

“As the distribution period commences, eligible senior citizens are encouraged to visit the designated payout centers to claim their financial support,” he said. (PNA)