By Leilanie Adriano
LAOAG CITY – A total of 2,648 senior citizens from Laoag City are set to receive cash incentives from the local government this week as part of the implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program.
In a media interview on Tuesday, City Social Welfare and Development Office head Perlita Cabello said the program was made possible through a memorandum of agreement between the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the city government of Laoag to update the list of beneficiaries.
“We have now a total of 2,648 beneficiaries under this program. Those who were taken out from the list include pensioners of GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) and some others who were found receiving other pension,” Cabello said.
The first batch of about 1,600 indigent senior citizens received PHP3,000 each at the Laoag City multi-purpose hall on Tuesday under the SPISC program.
“The program focuses on helping senior citizens who are living alone or those who are having a hard time supporting their daily needs,” Cabello said.
The pension is on top of the city government’s milestone award for senior citizens who reach 80-84 years old, who will receive PHP2,000; 85-89 years, PHP3,000; 90-94 years, PHP5,000; and 95-99 years, PHP10,000.
The cash incentive is apart from the centenarian gift of PHP100,000 to those who will reach 100 years old, as provided under Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.
Throughout Ilocos Norte, less fortunate senior citizens who struggle with their personal care also get cash incentives under Provincial Ordinance 2018-10-063, which was approved seven years ago.
Aside from receiving cash incentives, seniors in the province also get financial assistance for their medical, burial, and food subsidies under the government’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS).
“I am so happy receiving this pension from the government. It helps me sustain my needs, especially buying medicines,” said Tessie Salvador, 73, one of the beneficiaries from Barangay Dungtal in this city. (PNA)
