SP defers proposed measure seeking cash gift for elderly

CEBU, Philippines - What is the difference between giving cash to senior citizens and increasing tanods’ monthly allowance in Talisay City?

Talisay City Councilor Valeriano “Val” Ylanan wants to know why the city council deferred his proposed resolution which seeks to give senior citizens P2,500 on their birthdays while the administration party’s proposed resolution which grants an increase in the pay of barangay tanods was approved

“It’s unfair. Ang akoa resolution gi-defer unya ang ilahang resolution on the tanods, gi-approve,” Ylanan told reporters after the city’s council session yesterday morning. 

Ylanan belongs to the minority group in the council. The other opposition councilors are Romeo Villarante and Danilo Caballero. 

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, the council presiding officer, sponsored a resolution which seeks to increase the monthly allowance of 440 barangay tanods in the city. There are 22 barangays in the city. 

Bucao, who is the chairman of the committee on Public Order and Safety, said the allowance would improve their performance as some mountain barangays in the city give tanods P150 as monthly honorarium. 

He said it is necessary to give recognition to these workers and to acknowledge the important role being played by the smallest territorial unit and political subdivision of the government. 

After Ylanan presented his proposal, council members of the majority moved for the deferment until availability of funds has been determined. 

Bucao suggested the committee on budget and appropriation chaired by Councilor Rodi Cabigas and the committee on social services chaired by Councilor Celiapo Cabuenas review Ylanan’s proposal. 

Cabigas said the council is not against giving assistance to senior citizens but the budget office must know where funds will come from. 

“Okey manang mohatag ta pero ato unang tan-awon kung naa ba’y available funds,” Cabigas said. 

Cabuenas said he has already received a letter from the Office of the Senior Citizens, which requests for cash assistance to the elderly but city budget officer Ed Mabunay said the city has no budget for it.  

The city will need more or less P25 million annually for the 10,000 senior citizens if the city approved Ylanan’s proposal. 

However, Bucao said the two committees must submit a report to the city council on their recommendations of Ylanan’s proposal. 

“You have to come up with a committee report as soon as possible,” Bucao told Cabuenas and Cabigas. 

After Ylanan’s proposal was deferred, the proposed resolution to raise tanods’ honorarium to P300 was approved. 

Villarante, Caballero, and Ylanan said they don’t question the proposal.

“Karon, ang akoang para sa senior citizen daghang question unya ang ilaha approved dayon without going to a committee,” Ylanan said. 

With the approval of the city council, the city budget office with approval from the mayor, must set aside P1.584 million yearly for the allowance of the tanods. 

Bucao said the allowance is minimal and certainly does not compensate for the services rendered.

– (FREEMAN)