Around 46,000 indigent senior citizens in Davao Oriental received a total of PHP137 million in financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 11 during a payout held from June 16 to 20, it was reported Saturday (June 28)

In a statement released Monday, the agency said each eligible senior citizen received PHP3,000 to help cover their daily expenses and medical needs.

The assistance was distributed under the DSWD’s Social Pension Program, which provides monthly financial support to indigent elderly citizens to help them afford essentials such as food, medicine, and other basic needs.

“We encourage qualified senior citizens to contact their local Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) for assessment and possible inclusion in future payouts,” the DSWD said.

Under Republic Act 11916, indigent elderly Filipinos who are frail, without stable income or support, and not receiving other government or private pensions, are entitled to receive PHP1,000 per month through the social pension program.

The DSWD urged senior citizens or their family members to submit valid documents—such as a birth certificate or any proof of date of birth—to the nearest OSCA or concerned agency for verification and registration.