Over 190K Caraga senior citizens benefit from DSWD’s social pension in 2025
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — More than 190,000 indigent senior citizens across the five provinces of Caraga received financial assistance in 2025 under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program (SocPen), exceeding its annual target of 184,700 beneficiaries.
Launched in 2011 through the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act 9994), SocPen provides monthly stipends to elderly Filipinos who have no permanent income, family support, or access to other pension systems. The program aims to help cover food and medicine needs, thereby reducing poverty among elderly people.
Agusan del Sur recorded the highest number of beneficiaries at 48,430, and released P550.641 million in aid. Agusan del Norte followed with 46,289 beneficiaries (P516.33 million), Surigao del Sur with 46,809 (P529.056 million), Surigao del Norte with 37,422 (P423.318 million), and Dinagat Islands with 11,891 (P135.783 million).
DSWD Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga-Libang expressed gratitude to local government units (LGUs) for their support in implementing the program.
“We thank our LGU partners for their continued support and cooperation. This strong partnership allows us to deliver timely assistance and ensure that our indigent senior citizens receive the care and protection they deserve,” Dollaga-Libang said.
The agency credited the Regional Social Pension Unit (RSPU) for the program’s effective rollout, citing the enhanced skills and training of social workers. Capacity-building activities included orientations on customer service, non-violent communication, and case management, all accredited with continuing professional development (CPD) units.
DSWD Caraga also proudly celebrated the local government unit of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, which was recognized as one of the outstanding implementers of the Social Pension Program during the first-ever National SocPen Parangal held on October 16, 2025, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The successful implementation of the SocPen Program across Caraga underscores the DSWD Caraga’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of the elderly citizens. With over 190,000 beneficiaries served and local governments actively championing inclusive social protection, Caraga continues to set a benchmark for compassionate governance and responsive service delivery. (NJGD/PIA Caraga with a report from DSWD Caraga)
