LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 in Bicol has successfully disbursed PHP465 million as part of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SocPen) program. This financial aid has reached over 155,292 senior citizens from January to September this year. According to Philippines News Agency, Cristina Llena, the DSWD-5 SocPen focal person, shared that ongoing payouts for the last quarter of the year are being conducted through various local government units (LGUs). These LGUs are responsible for the distribution of funds to facilitate easier payout processes. Previously, the pensions were disbursed twice a year, but this has been changed to quarterly distributions. DSWD data as of November 27 reveals the number of senior citizens served in each province: Albay with 38,503 beneficiaries receiving PHP115.5 million; Camarines Norte with 13,852 beneficiaries receiving PHP41.5 million; Camarines Sur with 45,176 beneficiaries receiving PHP135.5 million; Catanduanes with 10 ,606 beneficiaries receiving PHP31.8 million; Masbate with 9,474 beneficiaries receiving PHP28.4 million; and Sorsogon with 37,681 beneficiaries receiving PHP113.04 million. Llena urged other LGUs in Bicol to implement similar programs to support senior citizens not covered by the SocPen program. She acknowledged the significant contributions of LGUs providing similar assistance to seniors who are not eligible under the DSWD initiative. She further explained that beneficiaries' slots might become available due to discrepancies in documentation, relocation of seniors to other regions, enrolment in other government pension programs, or upon the death of a beneficiary. To ensure the validity of the information provided, DSWD personnel conduct house-to-house visits during the application process. Llena emphasized the importance of confirming and validating the details of senior citizens to assess their eligibility for the SocPen program. The program targets indigent senior citizens who lack regular income, fin ancial family support, or pension from the Social Security System or other institutions. Each eligible beneficiary receives PHP1,000 monthly, amounting to PHP12,000 annually, to help meet their basic needs.