Mayor Greg Gasataya and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) are conducting door-to-door distributions of local social pensions, ensuring that bedridden beneficiaries receive their benefits.
The initiative is part of the ongoing local social pension payout for 1,510 senior citizens across the city, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Pedro Valdez, 74, of Barangay Sum-ag, who was visited by Gasataya on Monday, August 18, is battling pulmonary disease.
He expressed his gratitude for the special attention.
“I’m glad that he personally took time for us, because I can no longer go to the payout centers. I’m very thankful for his visit,” Valdez said.
The mayor and DSSD personnel handed over ₱1,500, representing Valdez’s pension for January to March.
Earlier, the DSSD also assisted Gregorio Catolico of Barangay 23, who has been fighting laryngeal cancer and renal failure for a decade. His wife, Nancy Catolico, accepted the pension on his behalf, conveying her family’s appreciation.
“It was really a big help to us, because if you have a patient, you know how difficult it is,” she said. “I also sought help from Mayor Gasataya and Congressman Albee Benitez, and both have been supportive of us.”
Gasataya emphasized the importance of the ongoing door-to-door distribution to ensure that all qualified beneficiaries are served.
“For us, this is one way of appreciating their efforts and letting them feel loved. They were the ones who sacrificed for us, so it is only fitting that we put them first,” the mayor said.
The local social pension program is based on City Ordinance No. 1010, which also provides benefits to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). In addition to pensions, Gasataya said that the city government is accelerating the establishment of a Senior Citizens Center to improve services for the elderly.
City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo and Executive Assistant Ayesha Villaflor joined Gasataya during the house-to-house distribution.*