Monthly payout for seniors eyed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival is considering shifting the release of financial assistance for senior citizens from a quarterly to a monthly payout scheme to ensure budget sustainability and discourage ineligible beneficiaries from claiming.

“We’ve already consulted some councilors. If we give it monthly, dili kayo mabug-atan ang panudlanan,” Archival said in a press conference at City Hall yesterday.

The senior citizen distribution, which began on September 27 and runs until October 9, covers three months’ worth of aid or P3,000. But under the proposed shift, seniors would instead receive their financial assistance every month at P1,000 each.

Archival explained that the current quarterly system makes it easier for seniors who are no longer residing or voting in Cebu City to continue claiming benefits. A monthly payout, he said, could help deter such practices as it would be impractical for non-residents to claim regularly.

“Daghan pa kaayong mga seniors nga wa kadawat. This is something nga akong gitan-aw nga maka-gaan sa atong gastuanan,” the mayor added.

The city has allocated ?1.1 billion annually for senior citizen assistance. Archival noted that if ineligible beneficiaries are weeded out, the city can accommodate pending applications from qualified seniors.

PWD payout next

Following the senior citizen distribution, Archival said financial assistance for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will be released on October 10 or 11.

The payout will be conducted at the barangay level, using the same scheme applied to seniors. — (FREEMAN)