Speedy release of cash aid to PWDs assured

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama assured city constituents with physical disabilities that he will order the Department of Social Welfare and Services for the speedy release of their cash assistance.

Over 4,000 PWDs are also hoping to receive their P2,000 cash assistance from the city. The program was started last year.

Rama said he would make sure that DSWS will look into the matter so they can enjoy the benefits as soon as possible.

It is uncertain though if they will also have a merry Christmas like the senior citizens who will receive their assistance in 17 days.

The city government will hold the distribution of the financial assistance to senior citizens simultaneously in all 80 barangays on December 8.

Mayor Michael Rama has ordered all barangays to prepare for the day and make sure that the venue is conducive for the elderly by providing the supplies they might need, like water.

The distribution will be per barangay and Rama wants a system to be in place to make sure the event will go smoothly.

He also told the barangays to deploy vehicles that will transport the senior citizens to the venue of the distribution especially in mountain barangays where houses are located far from each other. Rama said it is better that all beneficiaries will be able to receive their cash assistance on the scheduled date because there might be delays if they choose to claim it later.

Senior citizens who qualified as beneficiaries shall receive P3,000 Christmas cash gift from the city government under the Senior Citizens Financial Assistance Program.

Qualified senior citizens used to receive a total of P4,000 a year but Mayor Rama increased the assistance to P5,000 this year.

The P2,000 which represents their birthday bonus has already been released middle of this year.

There will be 44,220 senior citizens expected to troop their respective barangay halls on December 8. The city shall be releasing P132.7 million for the 44,220 senior citizens.

There are more beneficiaries this year after the mayor relaxed the requirements for senior citizens to qualify.

Unlike before that the senior citizens must be a registered voter, the city now only requires the applicant’s birth certificate and certification from the barangay that he or she is a resident of Cebu City.

This has benefited those who are already aging 80 years old and above who, because of old age and deteriorating health, have long stopped participating in the voting process.  (FREEMAN)