The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disclosed that over one million indigent senior citizens are on the waitlist for the government’s Social Pension program.
During budget deliberations at the House of Representatives, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co pushed for a higher budget allocation, citing the urgent needs of the marginalized elderly sector.
Co noted that the DSWD requires an additional ₱13.9 billion in funding to cover waitlisted beneficiaries.
“This call comes from those who have been longing for support from the government,” Co said. “These elderly citizens have long hoped for the consistent and fair implementation of the government’s social pension program.”
Co added that the additional funding would significantly improve the lives of indigent seniors, who are entitled to ₱1,000 per month under the program. She expressed hope for “a much better fiscal space” in the future to address these funding gaps.
