Seniors asked to donate P2,000 to rebuild CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs has proposed to the senior citizens to donate part of their financial assistance from the city government for the reconstruction of the Cebu City Medical Center.

OSCA chief Rolando Llaguno proposes that each seniors give P2,000 of their P12,000 annual cash incentives to help rebuild the city hospital.

“In the first place ang CCMC gikinahanglan na sa tanang Sugbuanon, whereas ang imong kwarta after being distributed maybe a month or two wala nanang kwartaha. Ug simbako masakit ka where will you (go),” Llaguno said.

Llaguno, however, clarified that his is only a proposal and he does not want to force the senior citizens to agree on it.

“If they don’t want (to donate their P2,000) wala tay mahimo. This is purely voluntary in nature,” he said.

Amelita Sula, cluster president of the senior citizens in Barangay San Roque, said she adhere to the decision of the majority.

Adelina Barbosa, cluster president of the senior citizens in Barangay Parian, said her members do not agree with the suggestion.

“Dili mi mo-agree. Nganong kuhaan man nga mao naman na. Ang ingon sa mga members kon kuhaan unsa naman lang ilang ipalit og tambal,” she said.

Llaguno said they are still convincing all the cluster presidents as well as the individual seniors themselves. According to him, he is determined to ask their full support on this proposal.

“We have to encourage them. I am determined and I am asking them their full support if only to reconstruct that CCMC. After all ang kaayohan sa mga Sugboanon maoy labing mahinungdanon,” he said.

Llaguno said, so far, he has been receiving positive feedback already. If all the seniors will agree on the suggestion, P120 million will be added to the CCMC reconstruction fund.

Meanwhile, Llaguno said the next round of distribution of the senior citizens cash aid will be done possibly within this month.

He said he is already starting to sign the payrolls for the next distribution. The seniors will receive another P2,000.

Mayor Michael Rama, on the other hand, said he had instructed OSCA to prepare the money for the distribution.

 “If it can be done within this week, I am happy. It can’t be also on my birthday (October 28) because there will be many activities,” Rama said.

The upcoming distribution this month will be the fourth installment.— (FREEMAN)