(Photo courtesy of PNA)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Legazpi City government distributed Php 1,500 each to 700 newly enrolled senior citizens on Wednesday, expanding its locally funded social pension program to more than 4,000 elderly beneficiaries across the city.
Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Legazpi head Nelia Valladolid said the new beneficiaries were selected from the city’s 70 barangays, with 10 senior citizens included from each barangay.
The expansion was initiated by Mayor Hisham Ismail to provide additional financial assistance to elderly residents, particularly those needing support for daily necessities and medical expenses.
Valladolid said Wednesday’s distribution marked the first payout for the 700 newly registered beneficiaries, who will now join more than 4,000 senior citizens already receiving assistance from the local government.
She explained that the expanded program aims to help more elderly residents cope with the rising costs of food, maintenance medicines, vitamins and other essential needs.
“The senior citizens are happy because they have also been given the opportunity to join the local government’s social pension program. The assistance will help them with their maintenance medications, vitamins, food, and other daily needs,” Valladolid said.
Among the beneficiaries was 75-year-old Rosalyn Altea of Barangay Capantawan, who expressed gratitude for the financial assistance.
Altea said the Php 1,500 pension would help cover part of her expenses for maintenance medicines and everyday necessities.
“I am happy and thankful because this will help with my expenses for maintenance medicines and daily needs. It is a big help,” she said.
Another recipient, 62-year-old Gregorio Abrasado of Barangay Victory Village, welcomed the assistance, describing it as a significant addition to his limited daily budget.
“First of all, we are very thankful to the mayor. This PHP1,500 is a big help for our everyday expenses, maintenance medicines and other needs,” Abrasado said.
The city government said the inclusion of additional beneficiaries reflects its continuing efforts to strengthen social welfare programs and extend financial assistance to more senior citizens.
With the latest expansion, more than 4,000 elderly residents in Legazpi City are now covered by the local government’s social pension program, providing them with additional support for their basic and healthcare needs.
