The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Iloilo City has released some P45 million worth of cash subsidy to indigent senior citizens in the region.
DSWD said that this is part of its Katas Ng VAT: Tulong Para kay Lolo at Lola program which is aimed at helping indigent senior citizens in Western Visayas.
Some 90, 202 indigent elderly received P500 worth of cash aide from DSWD. The amount was taken from the VAT collection of the national government and was distributed to all identified indigent senior citizens.
In Iloilo province, DSWD distributed cash subsidy to 25,932 beneficiaries, Negros Occidental with 23,648, Capiz with 12, 896, Aklan with 11, 074, Antique with 9, 941 and Guimaras with 3, 027.
DSWD was also able to identify and provide subsidy to 3, 143 elderly in Iloilo City, while only 573 beneficiaries are in Bacolod City.
DSWD regional director Minda Brigoli admitted that the program may be short lived but was able to at least alleviate the situation of indigent elderly who have no pension and rely on support from family and friends.
She said that there is no new order from the national government to continue the program.
DSWD is currently ordering all city and municipal social welfare and development offices, as well as the LGUs to make an actual count of the indigent senior citizens in the region.
She said that they will be prioritized in various programs of the DSWD as well as in various privileges intended for the senior citizens. (PNA) /MP
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