MANILA – More than 4 million indigent senior citizens nationwide are receiving support for their health and daily needs through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program, an agency official said.

DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said a total of 4,085,066 elderly beneficiaries have been reached under the program, which provides monthly financial aid to help ease the burden of medical and living expenses.

“Mas mataas na ang natatanggap na pensyon ng ating mga lolo at lola dahil alam naming ito ay direktang napupunta sa pambili ng gamot at pagkain. Isa ito sa mga hakbang ng DSWD para mapangalagaan ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga indigent senior citizens,” Dumlao said.

The SPISC program is granted to Filipinos aged 60 and above who are frail, sickly, or living with disabilities and without regular income, pension, or financial support from family members.

Following the passage of Republic Act No. 11916, the monthly pension was increased from Php500 to Php1,000 beginning January 2024 to help beneficiaries cope with the rising costs of medicine and food.

Starting July 2024, the DSWD also transitioned from a semi-annual release to a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly payout schedule to make financial assistance more timely and accessible. The agency has also begun distributing pensions through cash cards in selected areas to improve efficiency and convenience for elderly recipients.

“Layunin ng DSWD na hindi mahirapan ang mga senior citizens sa pagkuha ng kanilang benepisyo. Kaya unti-unti na tayong lumilipat sa digital disbursement,” Dumlao added.

One of the beneficiaries, 71-year-old Merlinda Tudlasan from Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, said the Php3,000 pension she received for the second quarter of 2025 was a significant help.

“Dako kaayo ning tabang kay naa nakoy pangpalit ug tambal sakong maintenance ug naa nasad koy pangpalit ug sud-an. Daghang Salamat sa Social Pension Program ni DSWD sa Php3,000 nga ayuda ug sa pagtagad sa nanginahanglan nga mga senior citizens sama nako,” she said.

As the program continues to expand and improve, the DSWD reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that no senior citizen is left behind, especially in matters of health and well-being, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.