In Mandaue City: Over 2,000 seniors troop to get P6T aid

CEBU, Philippines — Over 2,000 indigent senior citizens in Mandaue City received P6,000 each in social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 yesterday.

The payout was done in collaboration with Mandaue City Government at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. The amount represents their social pension covering the months of January to June at P1,000 per month.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said the payout helps a lot for the elderlies who need support in purchasing their maintenance medicine.

"Slowly and surely, we are ensuring that every single senior citizen in Mandaue is provided with the necessary assistance to overcome the challenges they face daily," Cortes said.

The 2,055 senior citizen beneficiaries who received their cash assistance were from the city’s 27 barangays.

Aurelia Cañete, a 73-year-old social pension beneficiary from Barangay Alang-Alang, said she felt grateful and happy for the six thousand cash she received yesterday.

Cañete added that she will use the money to buy basic necessities at home, as well as her medications, as she has been enduring severe cough since yesterday, and will pay her neighbor the money she borrowed.

"Mopalit ko'g tambal kay nangalsa man ko atong usa ka adlaw og kangkong ba mura ko'g nagbughat bughat...ug bayran nako ang utang nako sa akong silingan," she said.

A caravan of services was also initiated in the payout, which included free medical and dental check-ups for senior citizens.

On top of the social pension from the national government, senior citizens will receive an annual assistance of P10,000 from the Mandaue City  government.

The Mandaue City Council recently passed an ordinance increasing the financial assistance for senior citizens by P2,000. This increase is intended to enhance support for senior citizens, especially in covering their medical expenses and other financial needs.

The ordinance sponsored by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas gives senior citizens P5,000 every six months starting December. The city government has earmarked P300 million to assist 30,000 senior citizens in Mandaue City, according to Lumapas. — Donna Rose Egos and Jonalyn Infante, CNU Interns (FREEMAN)