Bedridden Elderly Man Travels by Carabao Cart to Receive Social Pension
A bedridden elderly man touched the hearts of many after a video showed how he was brought to claim his social pension in a remote town.
The elderly man, who could no longer walk, was placed on a wooden cart locally known as a “pasagad” or “patuki.” The cart was pulled by a carabao and used to travel through rough and mountainous roads.
According to reports, the trip lasted for about an hour just to reach the Municipal Social Welfare and Development office in the town center of Cabarroguis. The incident shows the struggles of families in far-flung areas and the importance of clear information when it comes to government services.
The video, taken by the elderly man’s child, quickly spread online. Many viewers expressed concern after seeing the condition of the elderly man during the long and difficult journey. The family lives in a remote area, which made travel challenging and physically demanding.
The family believed the elderly man needed to be present in person to receive his pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. They thought this was required to prove that he was still alive, as representatives are only allowed to claim the pension a limited number of times.
However, officials from the agency’s regional office later explained that bedridden beneficiaries are not required to travel to distribution sites. Social workers are available to visit them at home and personally deliver their pension.
The agency suggested that there may have been a misunderstanding about the schedule or the process.
Under the program, beneficiaries receive a monthly allowance of P1,000 pesos, which is usually given every three months.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
READ ALSO: Bedridden Tricycle Driver Misses Aid as Son’s Authorization is Denied
