Bontoc senior citizens briefed on benefits

By Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan and Alpine Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Members of the Bontoc Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines underwent a one-day orientation on ocial Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) July 5 at the municipal capitol
    This was was initiated by the Social Welfare and Development Mountain Province in coordination with Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
    The SWAD told participants they were partners in providing and explaining accurate and relevant information to their co-senior citizens. As additional government assistance to the program of the DSWD, SPISC provides a monthly stipend of P500 to augment the daily necessities and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens. 
    The program seeks to improve condition of indigent senior citizens by providing for their needs; reducing the incidence of hunger; protecting them from neglect, abuse, deprivation, and natural and man-made disasters.
    Project officer II Jomar Pescador, Jr., of SWAD Mountain Province, explained the program’s eligibility criteria.
    He said senior citizen must be 60 years old and above, frail, sickly, or with a disability; who has no pension from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI) or any other insurance company; no permanent source of income; and who has no regular support from family/relatives for his/her basic needs.
    The release of the monthly social pension of P500 per beneficiary will be done every six months or P3,000 per semester. 
    A valid government-issued ID/federation ID indicating the date of birth is required in claiming the stipend during payout.
Ailey Claire Awis and Delia Sarang-ey, from SWAD Mountain Province were present during the orientation.