'Ili'ili 'Ahokava (75) from Vaololoa, receives the first social benefits payment from Tonga's Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano. 21 September 2012.

Photos by Linny Folau

Tonga'a Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano today in launching the government's new Social Benefits Scheme for the Elderly, handed out the first envelope containing $65 pa'anga to be paid out monthly to each person who is over 75-years old in Tonga.

The Social Benefits Scheme for the elderly was first announced by the Ministry of Finance in June at a cost of around $1.6 million a year, based on monthly stipend of about $65 for 2082 eligible recipients (2006 census). The estimated cost is likely to go higher as the target age group is identified, and will be financed within the approved budget for 2012-13, according to a statement from the ministry.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon. Lisiate 'Akolo said this fund was taken from the Ministry of Finance budget as part of the government's aim to to help its elderly people. 

"It is true that Tonga is facing economic difficulties but this is an economy of love for our elderly," he said.

Lord Tu'ivakano stressed the importance of caring for the elderly who had made important contributions to Tonga in the past. "This scheme was approved by Cabinet and we put it to the National Retirement Benefits Fund to carry out the administration work," he said.

He said the NRBF which started in July had collected $1.1 million from its members in addition to a separate Retirement Fund for civil servants. "These are important bodies that will help secure the social welfare of our people and strengthen the development of our economy," he said.

Kolofo'ou

Dr Sione Leimoni Taufu'i the CEO of the National Retirement Benefits Fund, said the hand out today was made to 285 elderly people in the Kolofo'ou and Kolomotu'a area. The process will continue in other districts throughout Tongatapu and the outer islands and should be completed by the end of October.

He said they had from the 2011 Census 2,516 elderly people in this age group, and 1,706 had registered with them. "But we expect this number to grow."

He said they had set up an identification process, in which the recipients when signing and receiving their money today, were photographed and issued IDs to open their bank accounts. "This will enable us to put in the next monthly payments straight to their accounts," he said.

"This is a great initiative for our elderly people because government, private businesses and churches are coming together, as some businesses have offered discounts for elderly people if they come in with their ID to do shopping," he said.

The first recipient to receive her envelope of cash from the Prime Minister, was 75-year-old 'Ili'ili 'Ahokava of Vaololoa who told Matangi Tonga, that she was very happy with this initiative to help the elderly.

"The first thing I will do is give my money to my church offerings on Sunday but I will go and get an ice-cream first," she said.

"Ili'ili  'Ahokava (75) and Sela Latu of Kolofo'ou. 21 September 2012.

The elderly people of Kolofo'ou and Kolomotu'a today expressed their delight in meeting old friends, during a special occasion to launch the Benefits Scheme for the elderly.