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Iriga City, April 18 (PIA) --- Pursuant to the provisions of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the local government of this city, under the leadership of Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, has already started the registration process to check out qualified senior citizens who would benefit from the social pension for indigent senior citizen’s program, an endeavor also being pursued by the national government.

Gazmen said that among other sectors, the senior citizens should really be given priority in terms of the social benefits that they are entitled to. Under the amended Republic Act 9994, a monthly stipend will be allotted to the indigent senior citizens along with other assistance.

Meant to institutionalize social protection to older persons, the law also orders the provision of care and protection to sick and disabled elders. This provision also covers the impoverished senior citizens with no pension and no family support. They are also among the identified members of the society who belong to the master list of the national household targeting system for poverty reduction.

In line with this, Gazmen has ordered the office of senior citizens affairs, led by Mr. Simplicio P. Nueva, and directed acting city social welfare and development officer Teresita I. Talaguit to help possible pensioners in filling out the social pension intake form to fast track the processing of their documents.

Mr. Frank Penones, LGU Iriga information officer explained that not all senior citizens will be covered by the said program.

“Qualified beneficiaries shall be indigent senior citizens who are aged 77 years above, and not receiving any other pension from State or private insurance companies, or have permanent source of income or regular support from their relatives. As beneficiaries, they will be entitled to a monthly stipend of Five Hundred Pesos (PhP500.) starting January this year.”

IrigaCityis eyeing more or less 100 beneficiaries out of the total 145,166 indigent senior citizens being targeted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development National Office nationwide. Total program allocation is pegged at PhP870,996,000.00. (PIA Camarines Sur)