OSCA to delete names of elders who failed to claim cash aid twice

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in Cebu City decided to delete from their master list the names of thousands of elderly persons who failed to collect their cash assistance twice because it seems they are not interested.

OSCA head Rolando “Dodong” Llaguno said it was the Senior Citizens Council composed of the presidents of senior citizens associations in different barangays who made the recommendation adopted by his office.

Llaguno said there were 2,528 of the 58,000 senior citizens who were entitled to receive their initial cash assistance of P4,000 last March 25 and 26 but they did not bother to get it.

“Until now, we still do not know why they failed to get their benefits. That is why we have decided to delete their names from our master list,” Llaguno told the reporters yesterday.

However, Llaguno said if some of those senior citizens will resurface later, they can still apply and will again be required to submit the needed requirements.

“Kun mo-submit sila og laing applications ato na gayud nga sutaon kun ania ba sila magpuyo sa Cebu City o kaha botante ba gayud sila dinhi sa dakbayan. (If they submit another application we will have to find out if they are Cebu City residents or registered voters of the city),” Llaguno said.

There are speculations that the 2,528 senior citizens are no longer residing in Cebu City, although they are still registered voters.

An official of a senior citizens federation in Barangay Guadalupe confirmed that some of her members are no longer residing in the barangay. “Tua na gani ang uban sa laing nasud. (Some are already abroad.)”

Llaguno said until now, many senior citizens from other places outside Cebu City are applying for cash assistance at his office.

Only residents, 60 years old and above, who are registered voters in Cebu City and voted in the 2010 elections are qualified to received the cash assistance.  (FREEMAN)