The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has delivered a significant financial boost to its elderly population in Basilan. On Friday, December 5, 2025, the regional government, through its Ministry of Social Welfare and Development (MSSD), successfully released approximately P42 million in social pension funds to qualified senior citizens in Lamitan City.
Massive Payout Benefits Thousands of Elderly Residents
This crucial disbursement directly benefited 7,000 senior citizens residing in Lamitan. According to Anwary Akalun, the chief of the Basilan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), each beneficiary received a cash grant of P6,000. This amount represents the combined social pension covering the third and fourth quarters of the current year, 2025.
The payout event was held at the Datu Dizal Cultural Center in Lamitan City. It was a collaborative effort between the MSSD-BARMM, the provincial PSWDO, and the Lamitan City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), ensuring a smooth and organized distribution process for the thousands of attendees.
Officials Hail Program as Testament to Community Pillars
Local officials were present to witness the distribution and expressed profound gratitude for the program. Councilor Kennybel Planta-Flores, who chairs the Lamitan City Council's Committee on Social Services, thanked the MSSD-BARMM for its unwavering commitment to the elderly.
"The social pension program is not just financial assistance, but a testament to our recognition and gratitude to the senior citizens who have served as pillars of our communities," Flores stated. She further assured the public that the city council remains dedicated to implementing policies that uphold the welfare, dignity, and well-being of senior citizens.
Echoing this sentiment, Councilor Suada Asnawie, chairperson of the Committee on Elderly, emphasized the invaluable role of seniors: "Our senior citizens are the pillars of our society. They guide us with wisdom, experiences, and dreams."
Province-Wide Distribution to Continue Until December 18
The event in Lamitan City is just one part of a larger initiative across the entire province of Basilan. Anwary Akalun clarified that this payout is a segment of a broader program aimed at supporting a total of 17,100 senior citizens throughout Basilan.
The province-wide distribution of the social pension is scheduled to continue, with the entire operation set to run until December 18, 2025. This ensures that all eligible elderly individuals across various municipalities in Basilan receive their entitled stipend before the year ends.
The social pension is a government-mandated stipend designed to assist senior citizens, especially those who are frail and without a stable income, with their daily living expenses and basic medical needs. This direct cash aid is a critical component of the social safety net within the Bangsamoro region.
