QC to grant P500 monthly cash aid to qualified indigent senior citizens, solo parents and PWDs–Belmonte

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

Mayor Joy Belmonte with senior citizen members of New Luzon organization

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte approved Ordinance No. SP-3115, S-2022 to help alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the price increase of basic goods on the most vulnerable sectors of society.

Qualified indigent senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities will soon receive P500 monthly financial assistance from the city government for one year.

“Isa itong paraan para mapagaan ang epekto ng pandemya at pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, lalo na sa mga senior citizens, solo parents at PWDs,” said Belmonte.

“Malaki ang maitutulong nito para sa kanilang araw-araw na gastusin sa pagkain, gamot at iba pang pangangailangan,” she added.

She also lauded Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and the City Council for passing the said Ordinance, which was introduced by Councilors Diorella Maria Sotto, Franz Pumaren, Lena Marie Juico, Rogelio Juan and Jorge Banal Sr.

The ordinance covers indigent senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities who are not already benefiting from any other regular government financial assistance such as social pension, cash transfer program and the like.
Also, only one beneficiary per household can avail of the financial assistance.

The cash aid will be given following the approval of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the said Ordinance.

Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice mayor Gian Sotto with children of solo parents and LGBTQ

Target beneficiaries may submit their application to the Office for the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Office (PDAO) or with the Social Services and Development Department (SSDD) for indigent solo parents.

If an applicant passes the OSCA, PDAO or SSDD’s initial review, the SSDD field unit will conduct a case study to verify their eligibility.

Applicants who pass the case study will then be registered as beneficiaries of the program and will receive the cash aid via direct payment, electronic or digital means or cash card.

After 12 months, the OSCA, PDAO or SSDD will conduct a re-evaluation to determine if beneficiaries remain eligible for the program.

Belmonte earlier approved a separate Ordinance granting P500 weekly unemployment assistance to displaced workers for a maximum of eight weeks per year, to augment their meager resources.

She signed Ordinance No. SP-3095, S-2022, providing displaced workers who are bona fide residents of Quezon City with much-needed assistance as they try to find new employment.