The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warned the public against spam text messages and social media posts saying that ‘all’ senior citizens will receive a monthly pension worth Php 1,000 from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) starting in March 2023, when they register online.
The DSWD informed the public that ‘registration’ is not required to become beneficiaries of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens and the DSWD has no schedule yet for the release of the additional PhP500.00 since the budget is not yet available.
The Department further appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to refrain from entertaining text messages from unknown individuals and sharing unverified social media content to avoid confusion as the NCSC clarified that the said message did not emanate from the Commission and that its content is untruthful.
The DSWD also clarified that the distribution of the monthly Social Pension stipend of Php500.00 for indigent senior citizens is still being implemented by the Department, pending the full transfer of the Social Pension program to the NCSC. Meanwhile, the increase of PhP500 monthly stipend will be implemented as soon as the Department of Budget and Management released the funds to the DSWD for the said provision, under Republic Act (RA) No. 11916.
In addition, the Department emphasized that while the Act increasing the social pension stipend for seniors has already been passed, this still needs funding for its full implementation. The DSWD through its Regional Offices and Local Government Units (LGUs) will provide information to the public, particularly to senior citizens, once the budget for the additional PhP500.00 social pension will be released to the DSWD.
RA No. 11350, the Act creating and establishing the NCSC provides that all functions, and activities, including the corresponding funds implemented by the DSWD for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged seniors shall be transferred to the Commission.
While transitioning, the Department will continue to assist the NCSC to ensure that appropriate services and interventions are provided to older persons.
