Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed the first quarter social pension to 3,581 indigent seniors in the cities of Manila, Para±aque, and Pasay, through its Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the distribution brought relief to many elderly residents before the end of March. Each senior received PHP3,000, as confirmed by DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao. The payouts were conducted at various locations: 1,494 seniors in Tondo, Manila at the Paraiso Sports Complex; 1,220 beneficiaries in Para±aque City's Greenheights Subdivision; and 1,105 beneficiaries in Pasay City's Office for Senior Citizens Affairs.

Assistant Secretary Dumlao highlighted President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to providing financial assistance to senior citizens, particularly those without existing pensions. Many of these seniors lack familial support for essential needs such as medicine and food.

The DSWD's social pension program is a vital government initiative offering a monthly stipend of PHP1,000 to eligible indigent elderly Filipinos. The program's goal is to alleviate hunger, enhance living conditions, and protect the elderly from neglect or deprivation.

Eligibility for the program includes senior citizens who are 60 years or older, frail, sickly, or with disabilities, and without pensions or financial support from family or other sources.