PILAR Mansueto, an 80-year-old resident of Fatima Valley Pagsabungan, Mandaue City is thankful for the P6,000 annual aid she receives from the Mandaue City government.
“Ang akong madawat, igo ra gyud nako ipalit og tambal, daghan kaayo kog tambal gud (What I receive is enough only for the medicine I need, which is a lot),” Mansueto told Cebu Daily News.
Mansueto said she spends P4,000 every month for her medicines.
She and other seniors in Mandaue City receive P2,000 every four months.
Still, Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing said he plans to raise the financial assistance to seniors by P500 to P1,000.
“The last increase was last year, so for them we will continue to increase the financial assistance to make sure that the needs of our senior citizens are well taken care of,” Quisumbing said.
Quisumbing clarified that the increase will depend on the revenue the city generates.
“You know many of them are retired, many of them have physical limitation already; that’s why it’s important for the City to help out a little bit especially for the medical expenses,” he said.
Quisumbing said he will schedule a “Dedicated Senior Citizen Health Days” at the City Health Office where doctors and their staff will schedule home visits to senior citizens for check-ups and consultations.
Concerning the financial assistance of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Quisumbing said he wants to see a proportionate increase but probably not this year.
“We are hoping for next year because as you know this year has already been budgeted for”, Quisumbing told reporters yesterday.
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