More than 600,000 senior citizens are currently on a “waitlist” to receive next year the monthly P1,000 social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
This was disclosed by DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, citing the increasing number of seniors.
In Monday’s hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Finance, Gatchalian said there were 612,277 waitlisted seniors as of July 2024.
Based on their proposed budget for next year, he said there is P5.5 billion for the waitlisted seniors.
However, the said amount is unprogrammed, which means the budget depends on the availability of funds.
The current allocation, which is P49 billion is just sufficient for 4 million indigent senior citizens. Gatchalian also said the management in the distribution of social pensions will be transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens.
The DSWD has proposed a P229.8 billion budget for 2025.
A total of P114 billion is allocated for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. “This hearing is important as the budget is the cornerstone of our mandate at the DSWD.
He emphasized the unwavering commitment to advancing social welfare, empowering communities, and protecting every Filipino.
He said these programs are deeply rooted in the annual process that will provide assistance to the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized sectors of the society.
