BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6) announced on Monday that over 133,000 indigent senior citizens across the region have received their social pensions for the first quarter of 2025.
In total, P399.663 million was distributed to 133,221 seniors, each receiving P3,000—or P1,000 per month—as part of the government’s Social Pension Program. This follows Republic Act 11916, which doubled the monthly stipend for eligible seniors from P500 to P1,000 starting January 2024.

“The Social Pension Program reflects DSWD’s dedication to helping our senior citizens live with dignity and financial security,” the agency said in a statement.

As of March, all target beneficiaries—52,407 men and 80,814 women—have received their full payments for the quarter.

Here’s a breakdown of the number of beneficiaries and the total amount distributed in each area:

Negros Occidental: 15,318 seniors – P45.954 million

Aklan: 11,088 seniors – P33.264 million

Antique: 1,463 seniors – P4.389 million

Capiz: 22,308 seniors – P66.924 million

Guimaras: 1,838 seniors – P5.514 million

Iloilo Province: 61,587 seniors – P184.761 million

Bacolod City: 5,972 seniors – P17.916 million

Iloilo City: 13,647 seniors – P40.941 million

The program is aimed at helping the most vulnerable elderly individuals—especially those who are frail, sick, or disabled, have no pension or regular income, and don’t receive support from their families.