Mandaue City starts giving cash aid to senior citizens
THE Mandaue City government yesterday started giving P1,000 financial assistance to the more than 10,000 senior citizens.
Mayor Jonas Cortes handed the P1,000 cash to a senior citizen from barangay Mantuyong to symbolize the start of the activity.
“The city is committed to give assistance to our senior citizens as a way of recognizing their contribution to the community,” the mayor said in a ceremony held at city hall ground.
Assisting the mayor in handing the cash assistance was Councilor Jefferson Ceniza, chairman of the committee on social services.
Personnel from the city treasurer’s office assisted by social workers and barangay officials handed the cash of P1,000 to 822 seniors citizens from barangays Centro, Guizo and Mantuyong who comprised the first batch.
Aside from the P2,000 annual cash assistance given by the city, the law also allows senior citizens 20 percent discount in medicine and entertainment centers.
In Mandaue City, they have 50 percent discount in hospital admissions. The city also provides them a service van.
Ana Dualos, senior social worker in-charge of senior citizens, said the other half of the assistance is expected to be given in December this year or early next year.
“This is useful for us in buying our medicine,” said 64-year old Rita Murphy from barangay Mantuyong who represented her husband.
“This is timely since I will use the money for my fare to the province in visiting the tombs of my relatives during All Souls’ Day,” said 74-year-old Placida Oranquit from Mantuyong.
Starting today, personnel from the city treasurer’s office with security personnel will go to the different barangays for the distribution.
Senior citizens must present their identification card issued by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs to avail of cash assistance.
For applicants, the requirements include a certification from the president of senior citizens’ organization in the barangay, barangay captain’s certification and any document showing his/her birthday.
