Rama urges rich seniors to forego aid

CEBU, Philippines - Even if  he is becoming a senior citizen this year, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will not be collecting his cash benefit from the city government to encourage other seniors who do not really need it to follow suit.

Rama made the statement after receiving reports that newly registered of senior citizens have skyrocketed.

"I don't even expect I should be paid, I will be senior citizen this year. Why? Because I have my salary," he said.

The mayor also wanted other senior citizens who can afford to give up their cash benefits in favor of the less fortunate.

"I mean, ato gyong daginoton? Mauwaw ta oy," the mayor added.

Rama will turn 60 on October 28.

 The city government is giving P12,000 worth of assistance to senior citizens this year. The mayor, however, said only half of it will be in cash while the remaining will be in kind. 

 Rama has directed the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs to evaluate the registrants and ensure that those who will be applying to avail of the benefits are qualified based on the guidelines.

Reports have it that at least 4,000 senior citizens have already registered with the Commission on Elections. These seniors allegedly come from other places and transferred to Cebu City presumably to avail of the cash incentives.

OSCA Chief Rolando Llaguno, however, assured that the city will be stricter in accepting qualified senior citizens as cash assistance beneficiaries.

But Rama said OSCA is not limiting the beneficiaries as long as everyone must be qualified.

 "If we will give 100 million every year, or 200 million every year, or 300 million every year or whatever million every year, then you must also do your job," he said.

Rama urged OSCA to hire actuary to evaluate, manage and advise on financial risk of the office.

He said that actuaries would utilize their expertise in providing strategic financial advice that the office needs.

But for now, he said that whatever the position and guidelines of OSCA, it must be followed.

"As long as it is just, fair, reasonable, and equitable," he added.

Based on the OSCA records as of May 2, there were about 58,563 qualified senior citizens in 80 barangays who are qualified beneficiaries. — /FPL (FREEMAN)