SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique — The validation of social pensioners in Antique province is still ongoing for 65 years old and above individuals, who are not receiving any pension from other government agencies.
The validation is being made for them to be able to receive the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), which is PHP2,400 for 2018.
Diadem Pearl Tamara of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (Western Visayas) secretariat for the Regional Convergence Committee who visited Antique on Friday, said their social pension staff are visiting the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) branches in the province to validate the names of the senior citizens.
“The UCT will be given to cushion the impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law,” Tamara said. “Our validation in the region started last March and we hope to finish it by May.”
She said that in Western Visayas, 300,000 social pensioners are receiving a regular social pension of PHP1,500 per quarter from the DSWD.
“Part of these 300,000 social pensioners are from Antique,” said Tamara, although she could not give the actual number.
If they are found out to be not receiving any pension from the GSIS and the SSS, and that they are being adversely affected by the increased prices of commodities because of the TRAIN Law, they would be given an additional amount of PHP2,400 per year.
Tamara said that after validation, the list of social pensioners who are potential beneficiaries of UCT, will be submitted to their central office so they could be provided additional assistance. (PNA)
