The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 continues distributing the fourth-quarter Social Pension in Central Visayas, despite recent natural calamities in the region.

As of November 24, 2025, the agency reported that at least 10.76% of the 226,929 beneficiaries have already received their stipends for the last quarter of the year.

The payout began in October and is currently ongoing throughout the region, with a target to complete all distributions by December 2025. The Department has fully transferred funds to local government units (LGUs) through its Fund Transfer modality, enabling the release of stipends using LGU logistics.

DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero noted that recent earthquakes and typhoons affected the pace of the distribution process, particularly in 32 severely affected LGUs.

“Some LGUs have limited manpower and require technical guidance, while some Social Pension staff were temporarily redeployed to assist in DSWD’s disaster response operations. Others focused on local relief efforts,” she explained.

She added that LGUs had already received a one-time downloading of funds earlier this year, before the onset of the natural calamities.

The Social Pension provides qualified indigent senior citizens with a ₱1,000 monthly stipend, released quarterly, with LGUs facilitating the payout and DSWD offering technical support. In Bohol, there are 99,490 beneficiaries, while Cebu Province has 127,439 elders receiving the stipend.

Director Lucero emphasized the significance of the fourth-quarter payout, especially as beneficiaries prepare for the holiday season. “Our elders look forward to receiving this support. We assure them that the Department is working around the clock to complete all payments before Christmas,” she said.

Meanwhile, Social Pension staff are conducting field validations across various LGUs to ensure that qualified senior citizens are included in the program, replacing beneficiaries who are found to be SSS pensioners.

For the payout schedule, beneficiaries or their families may coordinate with their Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Local Social Welfare and Development Office, or Senior Citizens Chapter in their community. ###