Talisay's elderly wish for benefits

CEBU, Philippines - The head of the senior citizens’ organization in Talisay City said he is hoping the local government would provide benefits to the city’s elderly.

Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) chief Romeo Tabañag said his office has sent a proposal to the city council underlining their concerns.

Tabañag, 72, a retired worker of Atlas Mining in Toledo City, heads the 9,142-strong OSCA, which has members all over the city’s 22 barangays.

He did not however say that the city’s senior citizens, in terms of benefits, are way behind those in other cities such as Cebu City. Tabanag said the proposal is intended to obtain the same benefits the elderly in other places are getting.

"Among gi-imitate ang ubang LGU nga may madawat ang mga tigulang, nahimo man gani na sa Cebu City nga may cash gift nga 54, 000 silang membro, nya kita diri dili mahimo nga 9 mil ra ta kapin," Tabañag said.

Tabañag said that if such benefits would also be provided to them, it would be a big help to their indigent members who don’t have no other source of income and pension, especially those living in the mountain barangays.

He said that City Councilor Ronnie Capala, chairman on council committee on Senior Citizens affairs, has already assured that he would file a resolution that would ask Mayor Socrates Fernandez to provide P1,000 as birthday gift, and another P1,000 as Christmas gift, among other benefits, for each of the senior citizens.

Presently, OSCA members are obliged to contribute a certain amount that becomes the organization’s savings.   (FREEMAN NEWS)