Early Christmas for Escalante City Senior Citizens

Indigent Senior Citizens of Escalante City have reasons to rejoice after receiving their social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on December 7, 2011 at the City Center. The stipend covering third and fourth quarters of CY 2011 was released through the DSWD Region 6, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). Ms. Juliet Calamba of the DSWD Region 6 together with OSCA Chairman Mr. Rogelio Prietos and Ms. Leah Juntarciego of CSWDO spearheaded the cash distribution to the 117 recipients. One hundred and seven (107) beneficiaries received three thousand Pesos (P3, 000.00) each whilet he remaining ten (10) collected six thousand pesos (Php 6, 000.00) each being retroactive as of January 2011 or from the First and Second Quarters. The later was approved after methodical deliberations with the Grievance Committee attesting to their qualifications. This Social Pension Program was an offshoot of the approved R.A. 9994, also known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”. The act provides a monthly stipend of five hundred pesos (Php 500.00) to indigent Senior Citizens, given in a quarterly basis to augment their daily subsistence and other medical needs. The registration started in 2009 where needy residents of 77 years and older were surveyed by the DSWD. This was coordinated with the Escalante City Government through Mayor Beboy Yap. Documented inhabitants were evaluated so as to validate their situations. On the other hand, Mayor Yap expressed his profound gratitude to this very noteworthy undertaking. He hailed the program with the slogan Nakakatanda: Kaagapay sa Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan that really supported our elders. The thrust does not only sustain their basic needs but also to enjoy life to the fullest. (ECM)