Confusion, crowds mar PWD aid distribution

Miscommunication led to  a confused distribution of financial aid for  persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Cebu City yesterday.

Senior citizens who failed to claim their financial assistance in their  barangays last Thursday went to the City Hall grounds even if their schedule was still on Monday.

The aid for PWDs was supposed to be given in their barangays, said Cebu City Acting Treasurer Diwa Cuevas.

The schedule for the north district was yesterday morning. For  the south district, the scheduled release was  in the afternoon.

Cuevas said the confusion may have been caused by the tents they set up at Plaza Sugbo Thursday afternoon which was prepared for Monday’s distribution of aid for senior citizens.

Since seniors and PWDs trooped to the city hall grounds, Cuevas ordered staff to just release their money for humanitarian reasons.

However, only the PWDS from the north were accommodated while those from the south were told to go back to their barangays where disbursing officers will be present  in the afternoon.

Roberto Abanto from barangay Ermita whose daughter is a PWD said they waited in their barangay  but somebody told them that the distribution would be at  CIty Hall.

A large number of PWDs and senior citizens gathered at the City Hall grounds, prompting Tinago barangay captain Joel Garganera to called for additional police personnel to manage the crowd.