Seniors payout back to quarterly

CEBU, Philippines — Qualified seniors in Cebu City got their prayers answered with the return of the quarterly distribution of financial assistance from a monthly rollout, an ordinance that matured into law even without Mayor Nestor Archival’s signature, as provided under the Local Government Code.

Councilor Pastor Alcover, who authored the amendment, explained through his official social media that the measure was transmitted to the mayor’s office on March 18.

Under Section 54 of Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, the mayor has ten days to either approve or veto an ordinance.

If vetoed, it must be returned to the council within the same ten-day period, with objections stated.

The council may then override the veto with a two-thirds vote.

But if the mayor takes no action, the ordinance is deemed approved by lapse of time.

“Wa niya pirmahi, pero kay naa man sa balaod, nga bisan dili nimo pirmihan mahimo na siyag epektibo nga ordinansa,” Alcover said, stressing that the law matured automatically.

Still, publication in a newspaper of general circulation is required under Section 59 of RA 7160 before enforcement, to which Alcover also said they will do this week.

“I-publish na nato, mao nay ika duha nga himuon nato para ma epektibo gyud ang balaod,” Alcover added.

After publication, a 15-day period will follow, making the ordinance fully enforceable and binding on the mayor.

For years, the distribution of aid to seniors has been ever-changing.

Archival, upon assuming office, declared that the ordinance mandated monthly releases of P1,000, not quarterly lump sums; yet even under his watch, the monthly schedule was not consistently followed.

Aid releases were disrupted by disasters and emergencies, including Typhoon Tino and the Binaliw trash slide.

Archival also said that the program would only revert to quarterly if the ordinance was amended, which Alcover proposed and was agreed to by the rest of the City Council.

Alcover earlier said the amendment was pushed by the seniors themselves, who found monthly releases inconvenient and impractical.

Many elderly beneficiaries, especially those bedridden or with mobility issues, struggled to claim aid every month and felt that quarterly payouts were clearer, easier to plan around, and less prone to disruption.

Alcover also noted that barangay officials found quarterly releases more manageable and that these saved them some burden.

The latest ordinance also introduces authorization for bedridden seniors or those temporarily outside Cebu City to claim aid through immediate family members, a system that was not previously allowed.

“Kung asawa masakit, ang bana ang i-authorize..or kung ang bana nasakit, ang asawa ang ma-authorize. Kung duha sila nga nagsakit,and anak o apo… Dili pwede silingan,” Alcover clarified, stressing that only immediate family can be designated. This provision addresses cases where seniors are staying in the provinces but remain registered voters of Cebu City.

With publication imminent, seniors can expect their next aid release to follow the quarterly scheme.

“Pakpak ta dihang dapita. At least nagmadaugon atong kausa sa mga seniors nga quarterly na ta,” Alcover declared, thanking the community and urging families to explain the changes to their elders.

Alcover also promised that once the quarterly ordinance is fully effective, he will push for another amendment to include seniors registered between 2014 and 2016, who were previously excluded.

“Dili pwede dunganon. Humanon nato kini, dayon sunod ang 2014–2016,” he said, assuring that the next wave of beneficiaries will soon be covered.