The government has ordered pension-issuing agencies and their servicing banks to implement alternative validation modes for senior citizen pensioners to prevent personal contact amid the current pandemic.
Based on Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 100, concerned government agencies will be issuing circulars for the implementation of the new directive by March 1.
Presidential and IATF-EID Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is giving attention to the welfare of senior citizens who are considered vulnerable to COVID-19.
“Para matiyak ang kanilang kalusugan at kaligtasan, inaprubahan ang resolusyon na ito na hindi na po sila kinakailangan na magkaroon ng personal appearance sa mga bangko at iba pang mga institutions para makuha lamang ang kanilang mga pension (To ensure their health and safety, the resolution was approved so they will not be required to personally appear to institutions to get their pension),” Roque explained.
The Social Security System (SSS) assured its compliance with the order while other institutions have yet to issue their response.
– Report from Mela Lesmoras
