Tom giving financial aid to Cordova elders

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will extend the P2,000 financial assistance to the senior citizens of Cordova town.

In yesterday’s press conference, Osmeña said he is extending the giving of financial assistance to the elders of Cordova but only after they would be finished distributing the benefit to the city’s 23,000 senior citizens.

“Yes, as part of the Big Brother Program, we’ll start helping them. This is something that the province cannot afford to give,” Osmeña said.

He said he wants to maintain good relationship with the Cordovanons who are historically close with the people of barangay Basak San Nicolas.

“Maybe one day they (Cordovanons) will decide to be part of Cebu City,” he said.

The Senate committee on local government recently approved the bill declaring Lapu-Lapu City as a separate congressional district.

Another pending bill is the separation of Mandaue City into another congressional district, a move that would leave behind Cordova and Consolacion towns as remaining part of Cebu sixth district.

Osmeña said the giving of financial assistance to Cordova elders” is something new so there are still things to iron out in the system. I don’t want to let technical difficulties to hamper the distribution because you will achieve nothing.”

But there were recent complaints of senior citizens in the city who were unable to receive the assistance because of lack of requirements.

Osmeña got irked upon learning that the process of getting the benefit included the filing of an application form.

“You don’t need to apply to something that you deserve. Do they want to apply first before they could get their salaries, let’s see if they would want that,” he said.

The only requirement needed for a senior citizen to avail of the P1,000 birthday and P1,000 Christmas bonus was to show a proof that he or she voted in the last election.

According to the Cebu City Treasurers Office, 92 percent of the senior citizens were already able to claim the benefit. — Ferliza C. Contratista/LPM (THE FREEMAN)