FIRST LADY LEADS SOCIAL PENSION PAYOUT FOR INDIGENT SENIORS IN QC

FIRST Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos on Friday led the ceremonial payout of the increased social pension for poor senior citizens at the agency’s Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City.

Assisting the First Lady in the payout was Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

The payout for the first batch of indigent seniors from Quezon City also marked the culmination of the DSWD’s 73rd Founding Anniversary.

According to Gatchalian, the social pension payout for older persons is the Marcos administration’s way of recognizing the significant role of senior citizens, both in their family and society.

“Alam ko na marami sa inyo na bagamat may edad na ay patuloy na naglalagay ng pagkain sa hapag, patuloy na nagtatrabaho para matustusan ang mga pangangailangan ng pamilya. Higit sa lahat alam ko na marami sa inyo ay kayo pa rin ang nagpapalaki ng inyong mga apo dahil busy sa trabaho ang inyong mga anak. Iyan ang mga kwento ng sakripisyo na gusto naming parangalan ngayon araw,” said the DSWD chief.

Gatchalian said that under the ”Bagong Pilipinas,” senior citizens’ welfare is a priority, and that they will never be left behind.

The First Lady, the event’s guest of honor, underscored the role of the social workers, which she referred to as “the heart and soul of the DSWD,” in the development, implementation, and delivery of social protection and welfare services to the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

“So, sa mga lolo at lola diyan, you are in good hands with DSWD,” the First Lady said, who, along with Gatchalian personally handed over the P6,000 social pension to each of some 250 indigent senior citizens from the different barangays in Quezon City.