Number of seniors increase; cash aid may be insufficient

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs said the annual budget for the financial assistance to the elderly might not be enough to cater to the additional 4,000 seniors who have registered with the Commission on Elections.

OSCA Chief Rolando Llaguno said there are now about 62,000 seniors registered in Cebu City, but the city government only has P720 million-budget for the cash aid, which is only good for some 60,000 elders.

“Chances are (that amount might not be enough) because we have the ceiling of up to 60,000 (seniors),” Llaguno said.

Llaguno, nevertheless, assured to find ways to get additional funds, this as he guaranteed that OSCA will now be firmer in accepting senior citizens who will apply as recipients of the financial aid.

One of the requirements of the city government for a senior citizen to be a qualified beneficiary of the cash aid is to be a voter in the city.

Llaguno revealed that there are senior citizens enjoying the cash assistance eventhough they are not actually from the city.

“There are those nga dili Sugbuanon. Before I assumed, bag-o pa ko ato, ambot ngano… how did it happen…but some of them were able to go through and enjoy (the financial assistance) only to find out that some of them are not residents of Cebu City,”he said.

Other requirements for an applicant include birth certificate, photocopy of the senior citizens identification card, and a voter’s certification to prove that the applicant was registered in Cebu City before the 2010 elections.

Mayor Michael Rama, however, said that as long as each elder is qualified, the city government will not limit the number of beneficiaries.

“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 (OSCA) must also do your job,” he said.

Rama also encouraged OSCA to employ an actuary who can help them in assessing, facilitating and advising on the financial risk. — (FREEMAN)