P20M sought to create province seniors council

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board Member Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba is proposing P20 million as initial appropriations as he introduced the creation of the Cebu Provincial Senior Citizen’s Council (CPSCC).

The PB has taken up the proposed CPSCC ordinance yesterday on first reading and has referred it to the committee on senior citizens affairs headed by Alcoseba himself.

In a press conference after the PB session, Alcoseba said that the senior citizens in the Province of Cebu have been “neglected” by the previous administration.

Alcoseba pointed out the programs for the elderly under the Office of the Governor. This year, the Province of Cebu appropriated P13 million for programs for the elderly while P6.8 million is left for the second half, according to Alcoseba.

Alcoseba explained that by creating the CPSSC, the senior citizens shall be given enough focus when it comes to benefits and privileges.

He is encouraging chapter presidents of the senior citizens associations in component cities and municipalities to attend the public hearing to be scheduled soon.

Among the objectives is to encourage the community, especially the families of the senior citizens to work with the Provincial Government of Cebu in the promotion of the welfare of the elderly.

The proposed ordinance also provides a comprehensive healthcare and rehabilitation system for disabled senior citizens to foster their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive aging.

The governor shall act as chairman of the council while the chairman of the PB committee on senior citizens affairs as deputy chairman.

The members are the chairman of the PB committee on social services; president of the federation of senior citizens; representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Social Welfare and Development; and two accredited non-government senior citizens organizations. —(FREEMAN)