Sitoy wants to use donation for senior citizens incentive

CEBU, Philippines - Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy is requesting Mayor Michael Rama to allow him to realign the P258,000 Cebu City has given the town to construct a senior citizens building.

Sitoy said he would want to use the money for the incentives of the senior citizens who have yet to receive the assistance.

“We would like to request for the realignment of the amount so it can be reverted to financial assistance for the remaining senior citizens who have not received yet their benefits,” Sitoy said.

During his stint as Cebu City mayor, current South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña gave P5 million for the senior citizens in Cordova, P258,000 of which was set aside to complete the senior citizens building.

Cordova is not part of Cebu City, but Osmeña said he just wanted to give P2,000 each to the senior citizens in the town. The amount is equivalent to close to half of what is being received by the senior citizens in Cebu City.

Sitoy said a total of P4,742,000 was spent for the 2,371 senior citizens but an additional amount is needed for 162 others. 

Sitoy furnished Rama with a list of the senior citizens who have yet to receive their P2,000 incentive.   The Cebu City Council has endorsed the matter to Rama for decision.

Meanwhile, several senior citizens in Cebu City have complained because they were unable to collect the P5,000 benefit granted by the city for 2011. It is possible that their applications were rejected.

“Maayo lang sila manghatag sa taga laing lugar unya daghan pa sa taga dakbayan sa Sugbo wala makadawat,” two ambulant vendors selling bananas said.  (FREEMAN)