The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided assistance to a senior citizen whose situation recently went viral online.
In a circulating video on social media, the elderly man identified as Lolo “Jaime” was seen descending a mountain in Cagayan while riding a “pattuki” to line up for the Social Pension for indigent senior citizens.
The video drew attention online as it showed the senior citizen traveling from a mountainous area to reach the payout venue.
According to the DSWD, the agency has already delivered the financial assistance intended for the beneficiary.
The senior citizen received a total of P3,000 as part of the social pension program. In addition, he was also given P5,000 worth of food assistance.
The DSWD Field Office 2 earlier reminded the public that senior citizens and bedridden beneficiaries do not need to personally go to payout venues to receive their benefits.
Officials said measures are in place to ensure that beneficiaries can receive their assistance even without traveling to distribution sites.
In a statement, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of a town in Cagayan said their personnel conduct door-to-door distribution of assistance for qualified beneficiaries.
The agency reiterated that the program aims to make government support accessible to indigent senior citizens, particularly those living in remote communities.
