More than 1, 000 elderly people from General Santos City have been enlisted as beneficiaries of monthly pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

City social welfare and development officer Rebecca Magante said pension is released to the beneficiaries every quarter by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Senior citizens who reach the age of 77 and not a recipient of other pensions will qualify to avail of a P500 monthly pension from DSWD.

Calixta Bacalso, 91, a resident of Barangay Conel, was elated despite falling into a long queue inside the City Hall to claim her quarterly pension amounting to P1,500.

"I am very old already. I cannot work anymore. This pension will be of help for me to sustain my daily needs," Bacalso said.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera thanked the DSWD for its support to the elderly people in the city.

"I need the support of other government agencies to help in developing Gensan into a competitive city that cares for the indigents and the marginalized sector," Rivera said.