I. Program Overview
Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” institutionalizes social protection to senior citizens by providing additional government assistance through Social Pension for indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC). In this program, indigent senior citizens are entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to Five Hundred Pesos (PhP500.00) which aims to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of the beneficiaries.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as the lead agency in social welfare and development, implements the SPISC in the country since year 2011 through the DSWD Field Offices (FOs) using the most cost-effective and efficient mode of payment to deliver the stipend to the beneficiaries.
General Objectives
To improve the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens
Specific Objectives
- To augment capacity of indigent senior citizens to meet their daily subsistence and medical requirements
- To reduce incidence of hunger among indigent senior citizens; and
- To protect indigent senior citizens from neglect, abuse, or deprivation.
Legal Bases
National Laws
Section 11, ArticCe XIII, 1987 Philippine Constitution
“The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavour to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children. The State shall endeavour to provide free medical care to paupers“.
Section 4, Article XV, 1987 Philippine Constitution
“The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social security”.
Section 1, Article 20, Rule V, Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9994
Pursuant to the eligibility criteria as may be determined by the DSWD, indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to Five Hundred Pesos (Php500.00) to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens. The grant of social pension shall be subject to a review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the DSWD within three (3) months after convening the Congress.
Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens 2012-2016
Promotion of active ageing through social protection and support for the rights and welfare of senior citizens and their empowerment
DSWD Issuances / Guidelines
Memorandum Circular No. 04, series of 2019 “Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens“
This provides unified direction to DSWD FOs in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure an effective and efficient implementation of the program.
II. Modalities
The DSWD FO will inform the City/Municipality through the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) Head and Local Social Welfare and Development Officer (LSWDO) of the schedule of the pay-out.
The release of monthly stipend at PhP500.00 per beneficiary will be done every six (6) months or PhP3000.00 per semester
III. Target Beneficiaries
From 2011 to 2014, only 77 years -old and above were included in the program, but in 2015 the age requirement expanded by covering those who are 65 years and older. Year 2016, 60 years old and above indigent senior citizens can avail the program.
Senior Citizens who are not included in the master-list of Social Pension Program shall be refer to the concerned OSCA or DSWD FO through the Social Pension Program Management Office (SPPMO) for assessment.
IV. Eligibility Criteria
Sixty (60) years old and above senior citizens who are:
- Frail, sickly or with disability;
- No pension from the Government and Private Institutions;
- No permanent source of income; and
- No regular support from family or relatives for his/her basic needs.
V. Documentary Requirements
In case the stipend will be claimed by an authorized representative, he/she shall present the following:
- Accomplished Certification and Authorization
- Photocopy of OSCA ID of the Beneficiary
- Photocopy of ID of the Claimant
- Certificate of Existence
For Deceased beneficiaries the claimant shall present the following:
- Original or Certified True Copy of Death Certificate
- Accomplished Warranty and Release from Liability
- Photocopy of OSCA ID of the Beneficiary
- Photocopy of ID of the Claimant
Note: In case the beneficiary died on any day within the semester, he/she shall still entitled to receive the full amount of stipend for the semester to be given to authorized representative.
VI. Contact Person
CLARIVEL C. BANZUELA
Social Welfare Officer V / Division Chief
(072)687- 8000 (219)
op.fo1@dswd.gov.ph
ELIZA M. AROMIN
Social Welfare Officer II / Social Pension Management Office
(072)687- 8000 loc. 228
socpen.fo1@dswd.gov.ph
VII. Legal Bases
