No hitches as elderly claim City Hall cash aid

Felisa V. Marabiles, 84, of sitio Sindulan in barangay Mabolo smiles as she receives the P3,000 financial assistance at the Mabolo Sports Complex.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Cebu City Hall made sure yesterday’s distribution of cash assistance to the city’s  elderly residents went on without any hitches.

Chairs were placed in the distribution centers while City Hall and barangay personnel were on standby to usher in the seniors to their respective payroll officers.

Some City Hall personnel even used plastic chairs to carry some of the seniors who had difficulty walking.

“You can see their happy faces. There’s no anger on their faces. We’re making sure our senior citizens won’t be inconvenienced in claiming the city’s financial assistance,” said city administrator Lucelle Mercado.

Elderly residents from Cebu City’s north district received their P3,000 cash from the city in the morning while those from the south district got theirs  in the afternoon.

BEDRIDDEN

Distribution centers were opened as early as 7 a.m.

Mercado said about 85 percent of the city’s 60,000 registered seniors were able to claim their assistance consisting of crisp P500 and P1,000 bills.

“The number of those who have not yet claimed their financial assistance from the city basically include those who are bedridden,” Mercado said.

Bernardina Laran, 89, lined up at the Mabolo Sports Complex about 9 a.m. to get her assistance.  She sat on her wheelchair while she waited for her turn.

Since Laran of Regla Street is already unable to write because of her old age, she was only made to place her thumbprint beside her name on the city’s master list.

Mabolo barangay councilor Frank Gajudo signed beside Laran’s thumbprint to attest knowing her.

HOME VISITS

“Maayo na lang ni palit ug tambal sa akong high blood unya ipalit ug makaon, gatas, ug vitamins para nako (This is good so I can buy medicines for my high blood and food, milk and vitamins),” said Robera Balansa, of barangay Guadalupe.

Assisted by a grandchild, Balansa arrived at the Guadalupe Sports Complex after lunch time to claim her assistance.

Acting City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said they set aside P180 million for yesterday’s distribution of P3,000 cash assistance to each senior.

Ester Concha, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), said seniors who failed to collect their assistance yesterday have two more weeks to get these at City Hall.

Concha said payroll officers will do home visits for those already bed ridden.

An option is for them to sign a letter of authority designating a relative to claim their assistance from the city.

“Actually, we already have the record of those who ought to receive the financial aid from the city. But we just want to make sure because there may be some recipients who are already dead,” Mercado said.

Mercado said they will set up tents and tables at the Plaza Sugbu tomorrow to continue the release of seniors aid.