GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 January 2015) – Calixta Bacalso, 91, a resident of Barangay Conel, beamed with happiness despite the queue inside the City Hall Tuesday (January 20). She was there after all to claim her quarterly pension from the city government.
The pension, which is a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), is a dedicated stipend for the elderlies of Gensan.
Each month, a senior citizen is entitled to P500 cash which is distributed quarterly.
The DSWD is allocating P6.5 million every year for this program.
Bacalso, knowing her circumstances, was very happy when she finally received her allowance.
“I am very old already. Even if I want to, I cannot work anymore. My body is not as it used to be. That is why this (money) will be helpful to sustain my daily needs,” Bacalso said in vernacular.
She said the money will be used to buy her medicines, milk, and rice.
To qualify for the cash assistance program, a senior citizen must be 77 years old and above, with no pension, and is a bona fide resident of General Santos City.
Currently, there are 1,052 registered senior citizens in this program.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, in a statement, said that he is thankful for the support of the DSWD towards the local government’s campaign to ensure the welfare of the elderly.
“As I always said, I cannot do it alone. That is why I need everybody’s help in developing Gensan into a competitive city that cares for the indigents and the vulnerable sector,” Mayor Rivera said.
The mayor also conveyed his support to the thrust of the DSWD to enroll all senior citizens under the Phil. Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC).
“Right now, the DSWD is currently supporting the Senate Bill No 712 or a measure that would mandate the PHILHEALTH to cover all senior citizens in the country,” the mayor explained.
“If finally implemented, this would certainly profit our senior citizens, adding to the benefits that they must receive,” Mayor Rivera added.
As of now, this bill has been already approved and is currently on its third reading. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)
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