DSWD drops pension for 13K West Visayas seniors

ILOILO CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has delisted 13,468 elderly beneficiaries from its pension program in Western Visayas as they have other sources of income, had died or could no longer be located.

The DSWD, in an Aug. 15 report, said that among those no longer qualified to receive its pension (P500 to P1,000 a month) were 1,327 senior citizens found to be receiving pensions from the Social Security System (SSS) or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); 830 getting honorariums or salaries; and 331 who get regular support from their families.

SSS, GSIS and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office pensioners are not eligible for the DSWD pension, said lawyer Carmelo Nochete, DSWD director in the region. —RUCHELLE DENICE DEMAISIP