6K for Senior Citizens, for real?

A friend asked me a couple of days ago if it is true that the government is giving Php6,000 to all indigent senior citizens. She saw on Facebook the post below, hence the question.

Screenshot from Yalehd Sotnac

 While I was pretty certain that the news was true, I didn’t know its mechanism at the local government’s end. So I called up Ms. Kat of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) at 352-1000 local 1129, and asked her if the inquiry was valid.

According to Ms. Kat, the program is not new and CSWDO has been implementing it for quite some time now. The funding is sourced from the national government.

She clarified though that the amount is not given in one go annually, but Php500 monthly. It is awarded to all indigent senior citizens from age 60 and up, who are not receiving pension of any kind.

Availing of the benefit is quite simple. One must simply submit a photocopy of his or her OSCA ID (Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs identification card) at the CSWDO. After which, social workers will do a home visit and evaluation.

It’s good to know information such as this, but it is even better to know how the program works to enjoy the privilege.