Senior citizens get more from government

CEBU, Philippines - Barely a month after Cebu City Mayor-on-leave Tomas Osmeña ordered the release of the P50-million birthday and Christmas benefits for the senior citizens, another financial benefit from the national government is underway.

Cebu City Council Committee for Social Services head Rodrigo Abellanosa recently had his resolution authorizing Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 for the implementation of the “Katas ng VAT: Tulong para kay Lolo at Lola Project” approved.

This according to Abellanosa, will entail a one-time financial benefit to all listed indigent senior citizens in Cebu City which will be determined by the City Social Welfare Services.

According to the resolution, the program is pursuant to the directive of President Gloria Arroyo, to extend a one-time P500 subsidy to a million indigent elders in the country.

Some senior citizens were already able to receive the said benefit, but the distribution, according to DSWD officer-in-charge Evelyn Macapobre, was held in abeyance pending the signing of the MOA and the submission of qualified beneficiaries list.

Abellanosa assured that it will be done immediately since the MOA is now in the office of Rama. The distribution will coincide with the visit of DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral.

Just like in Talisay City, at least 500 senior citizens without pensions received the said benefit.

Cebu City’s elders are also looking forward this year to the P1,000 birthday and P1,000 Christmas gift from the city government.

Osmeña had promised the elder sector the giving of the benefit last year, with a surplus of P250 million, the city is now ready to extend the said benefit.

There are at most 3,000 registered senior citizens in Cebu City. – Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)