Social pensioners, 75-year old Romulo Nava and 72 year-old Ramonita Ferrer, shared how the financial assistance helped augment their daily subsistence and boost their physical health during the socpen pay-out on May 24, 2022 held at the village of Concordia of the said town which was attended by Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista.

Romulo and his 68-year old wife Estelita  were blessed with eight children of whom four were able to finish college but since most of them have their own families, the Nava couple is still struggling to meet both ends, especially during this pandemic.

Romulo said the pension they are receiving is a big help for their daily needs, particularly for their food and maintenance.

He thanked Bautista for visiting and inspiring them that despite old age, they are still productive members of the community.

Ramonita Ferrer, also from the said village, has also expressed her gratitude to DSWD for the cash aid. 

Ferrer said her bedridden husband Jose, 71 years old, is also a Socpen beneficiary. Every release of stipend, she bought food, vitamins, and medicines.

During regular days, Ramonita sells "kakanin" in their village and neighboring towns. She wakes up at 3a.m. to prepare her native delicacies so she could have an additional income to sustain the medicinal needs of her sick husband. 

For her, the pension given to them by the DSWD is a big help to extend the life of her husband.