Senior citizens in Barangay Mabolo troop to the Mabolo basketball court to claim their P2,000 financial assistance from the Cebu City government. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
ONLY a fourth of 66,870 registered senior citizens of Cebu City claimed their financial assistance yesterday.
The low number of claimants could be attributed to the short notice that the schedule of distribution had been changed, said Domingo Chavez Jr., head of the Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs (OSCA).
It was only last Monday that Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced the change of schedule from May 15 to yesterday, April 12.
Due to the low number of claimants, the distribution of financial assistance to senior citizens will be extended to 10 working days, starting yesterday. Distribution will be done at the Plaza Sugbo in front of City Hall today and tomorrow. For the remaining days, claims will be processed at the City Treasurer’s Office.
The distribution of the financial assistance was moved earlier than scheduled for fear that it may be canceled in the light of the suspension order against Rama and 13 other officials of the city government.
Chavez said the city has budgeted P807,600,000 for the P12,000 yearly financial assistance to the senior citizens.
Rama emphasized that the distribution of the financial aid is justifiable.
“It has all been very well legally discussed. These are all scheduled. These were not just newly planned. This has been years, years ago, so it has become a continuing, shall we say, and call it normal man-made activity on account of an ordinance, on account of a budget,” explained Rama.
SENTIMENTS
Meanwhile, a senior citizen who claimed his financial assistance yesterday said they should be given their assistance.
“Ngano dili man ipanghatag nga scheduled naman na sa mga old age, sa mga senior citizen? Walay labot ang pulitika ana kay dugay naman na nga sigeg hinatagay. Unya ang ikaduha nga naa naman nay budget. Gibudgetan naman na (Why shouldn’t it be given to senior citizens when it’s already been scheduled? Politics has no part in that because they have given cash assistance to us for years. Second, there’s already a budget for that),” said Alberto S. Seno, a 72-year old retired policeman from Brgy. Cogon Central Ramos.
“At least naa sad tay nadawat. Malipay na lang ta nga naay nadawat. Pero at least kung mahimo ba, padak- an ba kay kuwang ra ni sa tambal, maintenance sa tambal (At least, we receive something. We’re already happy that we receive something. But if it’s possible to increase the amount next time because the money is not enough for our medicines),” he said.
Today, the cash assistance for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) will be distributed in their respective barangays./University of San Jose-
Recoletos Intern Michaela Jaycel L. Dolores
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