ZAMBOANGA CITY — A total of 14,428 indigent senior citizens in Basilan province received cash subsidies of P3,000 from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Ministry of Social Services and Development's nationally funded program, the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens.

BARMM-MSSD Minister Raissa Herradura Jajurie disclosed that the cash distribution covers the P500 monthly stipend for elderly beneficiaries from January to June of this year.

She added that 2,428 persons from Lamitan City received the SocPen from MSSD, 2,329 from Maluso, 1,781 from Sumisip, 1,435 from Tipo-Tipo, 1,323 from Ungkaya Pukan, 1,195 from Hadji Mohammad Ajul, 1,111 from Lantawan, 1,065 from Al-Barka, 891 from Akbar, and 870 from Tuburan.

The SocPen Program is one of the initiatives implemented by MSSD in the Bangsamoro region, providing a monthly stipend to elderly and frail senior citizens who belong to the most indigent and vulnerable sectors to support their daily needs and access to medicines.

Meanwhile, 670 workers of the Cash-for-Work program received P2,750 each from MSSD during simultaneous payouts across the BARMM Special Geographic Area on 14 September 2023.

Each recipient rendered 10 days of community service, which involved tasks such as gardening, reinforcing flood-prone areas, and constructing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene facilities.

The CFW Program extended its aid to 300 beneficiaries from Pikit A Cluster, 170 from Pikit B Cluster and 200 from Midsayap, primarily consisting of fisherfolk and farmers.