Mabolo seniors question monthly aid distribution

CEBU, Philippines — At least 1,000 senior citizens in Barangay Mabolo signed a petition filed before the Regional Trial Court questioning the validity and legality of the city’s implementation of the monthly distribution of senior citizens’ aid, and the non-acceptance of authorization letters.

Mayor Nestor Archival reportedly ordered both measures implemented, without a public hearing first.

The officers of the United Mabolo Elderly Organization (UMEO) stood as the petitioners and attached the signatures of at least 1,000 senior citizens who share the same concern.

Mabolo Barangay Captain Daniel Francis Arguedo, who is also a lawyer, disclosed in a media interview on October 29 that a Petition for Declaratory Relief has been filed.

This petition requests the court to determine the legality and validity of the current practices implemented by the Cebu City Government, particularly on the distribution of financial assistance to senior citizens monthly instead of quarterly.

Another issue raised is the disallowance of authorization letters that could have allowed guardians of bedridden beneficiaries to claim the aid on the latter’s behalf.

Arguedo, who also serves as counsel for the petitioners, clarified that the petition does not include a prayer for penalties but merely seeks the court’s ruling on the legality of the practice enforced by Archival. He added that several elderly residents have already approached his office, seeking redress of their grievances on this matter.

On the issue of disallowing authorization letters, Arguedo argued that it is a human right to authorize another person to act on one’s behalf, as provided under national law. He added that such a right should be recognized as it supersedes any mandate under a local ordinance.

“So far to us, ang dili pag-recognize sa authorization, illegal na sya, kay naa man ta’y gibasehan, ang ka’tong civil code which is higher than the ordinance,” said Arguedo.

For practicality, Arguedo maintained that it is only right to allow senior citizens to use authorization letters, especially those who are bedridden. He further explained that the issue intensified when the city government decided to change the distribution from quarterly to monthly.

“Kay og makakita mo sa mga senior citizens nga mag claim sa ilang financial assistance ang uban ani, need na gyud og assistance nga mag agak-agak ba, di’ na baya ang uban halos kalakaw,” said Arguedo.

He added that there is no reason for the city government not to honor authorization letters, pointing out that even higher courts recognize them.

It can be recalled that when the issue was brought to the City Council for discussion, stemming from the privilege speech of Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, some councilors expressed their objection to reconsidering the use of authorization letters, arguing that such reconsideration might contradict what is stated in the ordinance.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, for his part, stressed during the discussion that asking for reconsideration would mean asking the mayor to violate the law itself.

“Because we are protecting public funds, we don’t want to waste money to those people who might pretend that they are beneficiaries,” Andales previously said.

Arguedo, however, reiterated that a national provision supersedes a local ordinance and emphasized that there are other ways to safeguard public funds, such as requiring verified certification from barangay officials. He also recommended the issuance of ATM cards through which the aid could be directly released.

He assured that barangays like theirs will be at the forefront of safeguarding public funds since they are closer to the grassroots.

As there have been conflicting opinions on the matter, Arguedo said they decided to officially file the petition and let the court decide on its validity and legality.

Aside from this, Arguedo said the elderly also raised concerns about the change in the distribution schedule from quarterly to monthly. He, however, acknowledged that the ordinance supporting the financial aid stipulates a monthly distribution.

Arguedo nonetheless stressed that the quarterly distribution had long been practiced and therefore had become the “law of the parties” in this case, the Cebu City Government and the senior citizens. To change this, he said, there should first be a public consultation and proper hearing.

Before filing the petition, Arguedo said Councilor Alcover had repeatedly raised this concern, but the scheme remained enforced.

While 1,000 senior citizens in Barangay Mabolo have already signed the petition, Arguedo said they will convert it into a formal letter addressed to the mayor.

In a separate interview, Elsa Midado, secretary of UMEO, said they filed the petition following numerous complaints they had received. She said the monthly financial aid is barely enough to cover the transportation expenses of those registered in Mabolo but no longer residing within the barangay.

She added that most of the elderly beneficiaries are appealing to revert the distribution to a quarterly schedule.

During the most recent distribution, Midado recalled that several guardians carrying authorization letters left dissatisfied after their documents were no longer honored.

“Unya kay nasakit man, ang uban gihilantan, ang uban gasakit ang tuhod, di kalakaw, di man gyud sila mu-honor (sa authorization),” said Midado.

Sought for his reaction, Archival, in a phone interview yesterday, explained that he was merely enforcing what is stated in the ordinance, which mandates a monthly distribution instead of quarterly. He added that a public hearing was no longer necessary since the provision is already cited in the existing ordinance.

On the issue of authorization letters, Archival said he sees no problem with the matter and that those seeking exemption may approach his office for approval.

“Tan-awon lang na nato gyud, kay there were already so many situations nga kana man gung authorization gigamit na sa mga tawo nga uban nga supposed to be di angay tagaan,” said Archival.

He added that, for many years, several elderly individuals have continued to benefit from the city’s financial aid despite their being no longer registered residents of Cebu City. Archival emphasized that he wants to look into the matter further, but encouraged those with valid reasons to approach his office. — /RAE (FREEMAN)