Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified that indigent senior citizens may still use other government-issued identification cards (IDs) when claiming their social pension, even as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)-issued National ID remains the primary requirement.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao assured the public that the Department remains flexible in its implementation to ensure that no eligible senior citizen will encounter difficulty in accessing their social pension. Dumlao emphasized that while the National ID is the main requirement, seniors can still use other valid government-issued IDs to verify their identity and continuously receive their social pension. The social pension is crucial for purchasing medicines and food for senior citizens.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated immediate support for vulnerable sectors, including seniors, to simplify access to government programs and services. Dumlao affirmed that the DSWD is committed to ensuring seniors can easily obtain their benefits and receive necessary government assistance.

In a Facebook post, the DSWD stated that indigent senior citizens without a National ID will not be denied benefits if they or their representative present a valid government-issued ID. Accepted secondary IDs include those issued by the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and others.

Additional accepted IDs include Voter's ID, Driver's License, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) ID, Postal ID, Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ID, Social Security System Unified Multi-Purpose ID (SSS-UMID), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-card, solo parent ID, seaman's book, and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID, among others.

Dumlao noted that the DSWD is collaborating with the Philippine Statistics Authority to assist social pension beneficiaries in registering for the National ID system. The Social Pension program for indigent senior citizens is a key DSWD social protection initiative, providing financial assistance to elderly individuals who are frail, sickly, or lack regular income or family support. This initiative helps these citizens meet their daily needs and ensures a dignified quality of life in their later years.