Osmeña revokes order to distribute cash aid for elderly in barangay halls

CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued a memorandum order revoking an earlier memorandum issued by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella on the place of distribution of financial assistance for senior citizens.

Labella, in his capacity as then acting mayor, issued a memorandum on August 12 that the distribution of financial assistance on August 20 would be held in barangay halls or barangay sports complexes. The city is scheduled to release P2,000 each this Saturday to around 67,300 senior citizens.

The council questioned the move of Osmeña to distribute the fourth tranche of financial assistance for senior citizens at the houses of private individuals in the different barangays who are allies of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).

Team Rama councilors warned the executive department of possible administrative liability. In his privilege speech yesterday during the regular session, Councilor Jose Daluz III cited the guidelines for the release of the seniors’ cash aid under City Ordinance 2453.

“We have a valid ordinance. The distribution of the financial assistance is sourced from public funds, thus, it should be given in areas which is public in character like barangay hall, sports complex or schools. Why would a private citizen be involved in the giving of the cash aid?” he said.