Thousands of senior citizens in the municipality of Carmen, including those residing in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), received much-needed financial assistance following the successful distribution of the fourth-quarter social pension from December 15 to 17, 2025.
A total of 4,900 beneficiaries each received P3,000, amounting to P14.7 million in assistance, providing relief to elderly residents who rely on limited income or family support.
Many of the recipients expressed gratitude, noting that the aid would help them purchase food, medicines, and other basic necessities.
The payout was led by the provincial government under Governor Emmylou T. Mendoza through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), ensuring the orderly and timely release of funds to both mainland barangays and BARMM’s SGA areas in Carmen.
The assistance forms part of the Social Pension Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), implemented by the national government under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with the support of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DSWD 12 Director Loreto V. Cabaya Jr. The program aims to recognize the contributions of senior citizens and provide them with social protection and care.
Also present during the distribution were Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and Ex-Officio Board Member Arsenio Ampalid, along with several municipal councilors, who underscored the importance of extending government services to senior citizens in BARMM areas to ensure inclusive and equitable delivery of social assistance.
