The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga Social Pension Unit organized a Stakeholders Forum on July 29, 2024, to tackle ongoing challenges surrounding the implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program (SocPen).

 

Representatives from various agencies including the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs), Barangay Officials, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Health (DOH), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Pag-IBIG, and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) were in attendance.

 

The forum provided a platform for DSWD Field Office Caraga to address eligibility concerns and other issues raised by the participating stakeholders. It aimed to foster collaboration and seek solutions that will enhance the implementation of SocPen, ultimately ensuring that senior citizens can easily access the benefits they are entitled to.

 

Discussions during the forum centered on identifying bottlenecks in the implementation process and finding ways to streamline the delivery of services to indigent senior citizens. The collaborative effort of the stakeholders reflected a commitment to improve the SocPen program’s efficiency and effectiveness.

 

By engaging various stakeholders and promoting open dialogue, the DSWD Field Office Caraga endeavors to create a more responsive and inclusive support system for indigent senior citizens, aligning with its mandate to uplift the welfare of the marginalized sectors in society.

 

The Stakeholders Forum served as an initiative to address critical issues and prioritize the well-being of indigent senior citizens, demonstrating the concerted efforts of different agencies and organizations to uphold social welfare and development.

 

The DSWD Field Office Caraga is optimistic that the insights shared and strategies developed during the forum will lead to tangible improvements in the implementation of the SocPen program, ensuring that deserving senior citizens receive the support and assistance they rightfully deserve.