The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) said it has disbursed at least PHP533.6 million worth of stipends during the second quarter of 2025 for the social pension of 177,863 indigent senior citizens in the region.

“As of this quarter, 96.3 percent of the target beneficiaries under the agency’s social pension program have claimed their stipends for April to June,” the DSWD-13 said in a statement on Wednesday.

Each beneficiary received a PHP3,000 stipend, which was released through the transfer of funds to the local government units (LGUs) for a localized payout scheme.

“This move enables LGUs to handle the payout process directly, enabling faster distribution, more flexible scheduling, and stronger accountability at the community level,” the DSWD-13 said.

The agency said it continues to monitor and assist LGUs to ensure the timely and transparent implementation of the program.

The DSWD-13 also reminded social pension beneficiaries to coordinate with local welfare offices regarding payout schedules and to contact their Office for Senior Citizens Affairs or chapter presidents for further information. (PNA)