The City Government of San Fernando through its Social Welfare and Development Office has released monthly pensions amounting to P500 per month to some 374 indigent Fernandino senior citizens on Jan. 28, 2017.
These beneficiaries are residents of the city’s 35 barangays and registered by the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs. They received grants retroactive from October to December 2016 amounting P1,500 each.
Under Republic Act 9994, the monthly stipend of P500 will augment the subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens in line with the government’s obligation to protect the most vulnerable sector through social protection.
Qualified to receive the monthly stipend are senior citizens who are frail, sickly, or have disabilities; are not receiving pension from social security system (SSS), government service insurance system (GSIS), or veterans pension; and do not have a permanent source of income or regular support from relatives.
“Our elders are integral part of our city hence we give full support to the improvement of their total well-being and their full participation in our society,” said Mayor Edwin Santiago.
He also underscored that senior citizens in the city are granted benefits and privileges like the free movie pass in all cinemas operating in the city, free admission in resorts, free maintenance medicines from the City Health Office, and many more.
“They are in good hands because we implement all the social programs intended for them, this is one way of showing gratitude and love for our elders,” said Santiago.
For those who are not registered in this program, you may bring the following requirements at the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) or at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA): Senior Citizen Identification Card, Certificate of Indigence, Birth certificate, 1 X 1 picture, Valid ID ( Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, Old Residence Certificate, ID, Postal ID, or any combination of identification documents confirming the applicants name, date of birth and present address.
Upon submission of the requirements, the applicants shall be evaluated by the city social workers before being recommended to the DSWD regional office for final validation.