DSWD secretary says elderly to get P500 pension next year

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman yesterday said the government will start distribution of the P500 pension for the marginalized elderly this coming 2011.

She added this is part of the government’s efforts to provide and care for its elderly population as stated by Republic Act 9994 (also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010).

The implementing rules and regulation of the law was signed last June 18.

The benefits and privileges provided for the elderly in Republic Act 9994 include the grant of 20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax (VAT) on the purchase of goods and services; five percent discount on electric and water consumption provided that the individual meters for the utilities are registered in the name of the senior citizen and that monthly consumption should not exceed 100 kilowatt hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water; free vaccination against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease for poor seniors; P2,000 death benefit assistance, and monthly social pension of P500 for indigent older persons.

The DSWD also explained that the new VAT-exemption of discounted senior citizens purchases will require the issuance of new Revenue Regulations by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, for approval of the Department of Finance.

The medical or health-related privileges, on the other hand, whether discounted or for free and the discounts on purchase of goods and services from leisure and recreation centers shall be subject to the supplemental guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, respectively, within 30 days from the effectivity of the IRR.

Also, discounts on electric and water utilities shall be covered by supplemental guidelines issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the Local Water Utilities Administration, respectively, six months after the effectivity of the IRR.

“The monthly social pension of P500 for indigent senior citizens shall be subject to DSWD guidelines which shall include the development of criteria for identification and selection of beneficiaries, the mechanisms for establishing a database, the system for delivery or release of the benefits, as well as monitoring and evaluation to facilitate the implementation of this additional government assistance,” the DSWD stressed.

Republic Act 9994 was signed into law by President Arroyo on Feb. 15, 2010. PNA