Isko’s first 2 laws: P500 cash aid for students, elderly, solo parents, PWDs

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signed on Thursday (July 25) his first two city ordinances granting a P500 monthly cash aid for Grade 12 students in all public schools in the city, persons with disability (PWD), solo parents and senior citizens.

The signing of the ordinances was made at the Bulwagang Katipunan of the Manila City Hall in the presence of Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Majority Floor Leader Joel Chua, and some members of the Manila City Council.

Under Ordinance No. 8564, all Grade 12 students enrolled in any public school in Manila would receive P500 monthly allowance from the city government.

To qualify for the cash aid, students should have a good standing, must be a resident and registered voter in the City of Manila. If the student is still too young to register as voter, his or her parent or legal guardian should be the registered voter.

The order said students may be disqualified from receiving the cash aid if they had been dismissed before the end of the school year.

Cash aid for solo parents, senior citizens and PWDs was covered by a separate law, Ordinance No. 8565.

The order defined a senior citizen as someone who is at least 60 years old. To qualify, they should be residents and registered voters of Manila and their names must appear on a list of the Manila Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs.

PWDs and solo parents, to qualify for the cash aid, must be residents and registered voters of Manila and their names must appear on a list prepared by the Manila Department of Social Welfare./TSB