The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga hosted the National 2024 Year-End Older Persons Program Implementation Review and Workforce Planning in General Luna, Surigao del Norte from October 14-18, 2024.

The event brought together key officials and representatives from various DSWD Field Offices nationwide to evaluate program performance and plan for the upcoming year.

Assistant Secretary for Statutory Program Operations Group (ASEC) Ada Colico attended the event and delivered a keynote presentation, providing strategic directives for the remaining months of 2024 and the upcoming 2025 implementation period.

The review included updates on the implementation of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program, with 75.21% of the targeted beneficiaries nationwide having received their stipend for the third quarter of 2024. The program, which aims to support the country’s indigent elderly population, has consistently achieved 100% of its yearly physical target, a significant milestone celebrated by participants, amidst the various challenges.

ASEC Colico expressed gratitude to the workforce for each DSWD Field Office, acknowledging their tireless efforts in ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of social pension services to indigent senior citizens.

The transfer of the Centenarian Program to the National Commission of Senior Citizens in 2025 was also discussed to ensure a smooth transition and successful achievement of the 2024 targets.

Additionally, participants discussed the ongoing drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Social Security System (SSS) to streamline the validation process for senior citizens applying for the program, addressing common challenges in eligibility assessment.

Furthermore, the Program Management Bureau (PMB) provided updates on the ongoing development of the Social Pension Information System, which aims to streamline the program’s data system nationwide and enhance transactions and inquiries among offices.

The event also served as a platform for workforce planning, allowing regional offices to align strategies for the upcoming fiscal year. Discussions focused on refining operations, ensuring sustainability, and addressing emerging challenges to maintain the program’s impact on older persons across the country.

The event reinvigorated all participants, motivating them to build on the program’s successes and explore new ways to further improve service delivery for older persons in 2025 and beyond.