Manila: More than 4 million indigent senior citizens across the country are receiving support for their health and daily needs through the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program, an agency official reported on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the SPISC is granted to Filipinos aged 60 and above who are frail, sickly, or with disability, and who have no regular income, pension, or financial support from their family. Under Republic Act 11916, the monthly pension was increased from PHP500 to PHP1,000 beginning January 2024, reflecting the government's commitment to help seniors cope with costs of medicine and food.
The program has reached a total of 4,085,066 indigent senior citizens, providing them with monthly financial aid that helps ease the burden of medical and living expenses. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the DSWD shifted from the previous semi-annual release of pension to a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly payout starting July 2024 to make the distribution of aid more accessible and timely. Cash cards are also now being used for digital disbursement in selected areas to make the release of funds more efficient and convenient for the elderly.
'Layunin ng DSWD na hindi mahirapan ang mga senior citizens sa pagkuha ng kanilang benepisyo. Kaya unti-unti na tayong lumilipat sa digital disbursement (The DSWD's aim is to make it easier for our senior citizens to get their benefits. That's why, we are gradually upgrading to digital disbursement),' the DSWD spokesperson said in a news release. 'As the program continues to expand and improve, the DSWD remains committed to ensuring that no senior citizen is left behind, especially when it comes to their health and well-being, in adherence to the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,' she added.
For 71-year-old Merlinda Tudlasan from Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, the PHP3,000 social pension she received for the second quarter of 2025 from the DSWD's SPISC is a 'big help' in her day-to-day life. 'Dako kaayo ning tabang kay naa nakoy pangpalit ug tambal sakong maintenance ug naa nasad koy pangpalit ug sud-an. Daghang salamat sa Social Pension Program ni DSWD sa PHP3,000 nga ayuda ug sa pagtagad sa nanginahanglan nga mga senior citizens sama nako (This is a big help because I now have money to buy maintenance medicine and to buy food. Thank you very much to the DSWD's Social Pension Program, for the PHP3,000 aid and for giving attention to needy senior citizens like me),' Merlinda said.
