BUENAVISTA, Marinduque — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) successfully conducted a social pension payout in different barangays of Buenavista.
As part of the Social Pension Program created under Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the indigent senior citizens of Buenavista received their social pension for the first semester.
The two-day event was attended by 15 barangays consisting of Brgy. Quatro, Brgy. Tungib-Lipata, Brgy. Yook, Brgy. Libas, Brgy. Bicas-Bicas, Brgy. Bagacay, Brgy. Timbo, Brgy. Sihi, Brgy. Bagtingon, Brgy. Daykitin, Brgy. Malbog, Brgy. Uno, Brgy. Dos, Brgy. Tres and Brgy. Caigangan.
A total of 1,517 beneficiaries from 15 barangays were given P6,000 each with a total amount of P9,102,000. The said financial assistance should be used in acquring basic necessities of senior citizens such as foods and medical needs.
A 71 year old recipient from Brgy. Bagtingon, Lola Nelia C. Oxales expressed her appreciation saying, “Bilang isang senior citizen, nakatutulong ang social pension sa akin dahil naibibili ko ito ng mga gamot o maintenance na kailangan ko tulad ng pagkain, prutas at iba pa. At dahil dito, nababawasan ang gastusin ko sa pang araw-araw.”
[As a senior citizen, social pension helps me, as I am able to buy medicine or maintenance that I need like foods, fruits, and others. And because of this, my expenses everyday are reduced.]
Oxales also emphasized that the program is a good initiative by the government to improve the quality of life of those who are in vulnerable sectors.
“Ang masasabi ko ay isa itong magandang programa na dapat pang palawigin upang matulungan ang mga kapwa ko senior citizen na hirap din sa buhay. Sa pamamagitan nito, unti-unti tayong nakakaraos sa kahirapan ng buhay,” she said.
[I can say that this is a good program that should be further enhanced to help our fellow senior citizens who are facing life difficulties . In this way, we will be able to cope up with the hardships of life.]
Social pension program is just one of the many government initiatives that consistently meet the needs of every senior citizen in the Philippines. — Marinduquenews.com
