THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday denied it is giving “pension” subsidy to senior citizens and solo parents who would answer “fake” survey forms circulating in the social media platform Facebook and its communication app Messenger.
DSWD Director for Operation Service Director Clarissa Lara Duran said: “Ang impormasyon na iyun ay fake (that information is fake),” referring to the survey forms where the elders or solo parents are asked to answer and fill up information to qualify for pension subsidies or solo parent grants.
On its official Facebook page, the DSWD warned the public against believing the information being peddled by fake websites, YouTube channels and Facebook accounts.
It identified the websites as DSWD Program, GOVERNMENT PH and DSWD Assistance, while the fake YouTube channels are Tita Eda (@Tita Eda), Mama Cherry Channel (@mamacherrychannel5684), Melvs Castle (@MelvsCastle), RICROD-PH (@ricrod-ph), Bagong Pilipinas (@BagongPilipinas17), Balitang Pilipinas (@BalitangPH), and Biyahe ni Keen (@HRKEEN).
It also identified the following Facebook websites as fake: DSWD 4ps update 2023 all-region, DSWD 4PS NEWS UPDATE, DSWD Updates, DSWD SUPPORT, DSWD AYUDA AT PABAHAY NI BBM, DSWD 10k Cash Assistance PM me now, DSWD Educational Assistance, DSWD PAYOUT (4PS MCCT RCCT UCT TCT), DSWD Financial Assistance, 4PS ALL REGION, and DSWD CASH assistance.
“Sa panahon ngayon, mas magiging talamak pa ang pagkalat ng mga maling impormasyon. Kilatising mabuti at i-verify muna ang ating mga nababasa online (In this day and age, the spread of misinformation will be even more rampant. Please read carefully and verify first what we read online),” the DSWD said.
It added that the public should not immediately believe the contents or what they read on social media platforms, especially if these do not come from credible and reliable sources.
“Huwag mag-click ng kahit anumang link na hindi galing sa official Facebook page ng DSWD (Do not click any link that did not come from official Facebook page of DSWD),” it added.
At present, the DSWD said it is only giving a P1,000 monthly pension subsidy to indigent senior citizens who are frail, sickly, or with a disability; those who do not receive any pension from the Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) or the Social Security System, and those without any permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance from relatives to support their basic needs.
At least 4.1 million indigent senior citizens are covered by the DSWD’s pension program which is given bi-annually.
On the other hand, the DSWD provides a P1,000 monthly subsidy for solo parents who earn below the minimum wage under Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022.
