Vice Mayor leads pension distribution to Aetas

PORAC— Vice Mayor Dexter David led the distribution of the 4th quarter pensions of Aeta seniors at the Municipal Hall recently.

David said that the activity aims to emphasize that the social pension program does not discriminate against indigenous peoples. He added that indigent seniors of the town get equal chances in the program.

The Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens is one of the provisions under Section 5 of Republic Act 9994 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The Social Pension is the additional government assistance in the amount of P500.00 monthly stipend to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of needy senior citizens.

To qualify to the Social Pension Program, a senior citizen must be 77 years old and above, frail, sickly and disabled, without a regular source of income and/or support from any member of the family, and not receiving other pension benefits from government and private agencies.

David said that the Aeta seniors qualified for the pensions after validation conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). David added that seniors of the town enjoy social programs from the Municipal Government. He added that local officials are active in extending financial and medical support to seniors in need as well as supporting the activities of the local seniors’organizations in the town.