Rich, poor happy with their share

Senior citizens who received their P2,000 assistance from City Hall yesterday have their stories to tell.

Despite being well-provided for by her children who are in the US, 85-year old Nena Yap still lined-up to get the second installment of her P10,000 annual assistance from the Cebu City government.

“I just receive what’s being given. What’s there is there,” she said.

Yap intends to use the money for her medicines. She was just discharged from the hospital after fracturing her femur.

“We were in the airport going to Manila when I accidentally slipped so we didn’t push through with the flight,” she said.

Yap stays with one of her children in Lahug and spends her days at home attending to her grandchildren.

But for a senior citizen couple in barangay Busay, they plan to use the money to travel to their hometown, Maasin, Leyte.

Couple Alfredo Lobite, 79 and Carlita, 72 have been living in Cebu for the last five years under the care of their children.

“Mobisita napud mi sa among probinsya kay gimingaw na mi sa among balay ngadto, (We will visit the province because we miss our house there),” the husband said.

Their daughter, Wilma Lanit, said that they wanted their parents to move here in Cebu City so they can look after them.

“Nalipay na mi diri kay hatagan jud mig hinabang (We’re happy here because we are given assistance),” Carlita said as she recalled that in their more than 50 years stay in Leyte, they have only received P500 as assistance from government.

Medication

Aside from the fare home, the couple will also spare some amount for their maintenance medications.

The couple said they’re happy that the distribution was done in the barangay hall and was scheduled per sitio.

“Sauna kay kapoy kaayo mi kay layo pa kaayo mig lakwunon padung sa sports complex. Maayo sa barangay hall kay dali ra adtuon (It was difficult before because we had to walk far going to the sports complex. It’s better in the barangay hall because it’s nearer),” they said.

They said they have no problem how much will be given.

“Maayo nuon mas dako inig December kay pasko (It’s good that we’ll be getting a bigger amount in December because it’s Christmas),” the husband said.

The P10,000 annual assistance for the senior citizens of Cebu City is given in three installments. They received P4,000 last March, and another P4,000 will be given to them in time for Christmas on December.

A prominent couple from barangay Kamputhaw also lined-up like everyone else.

Louella and Rudy Alix, convenors of the Movement for a Livable Cebu, also waited for their cash assistance at the Don Sulpicio Go Parish Center in barangay Kamputhaw.

Their money will also go to medicines, they said. They don’t have a problem with the released amount.

“I don’t mind. In the first place, this is a gift. As long as it’s given,” Louella said.

“We also contributed to this city government. So we also rightfully accept,” she added.

She added that she commends the Cebu City government for being considerate to its senior citizens.

“I talked to other elderly from Manila and Negros, they’re amazed that the Cebu City government is so concerned with its senior citizens. We get discounts and we even don’t have to pay for parking,” Louella added.

It’s also the first time that the distribution was done at the parish center.

“Before, we rode our car and got lost in a because we couldn’t find the sports complex. At least now, the venue is easier to find,” she said.

While most already have plans to use their money, one senior citizen intend to keep his money for future needs.

“I’m going to the bank after this. I will deposit the money,” said 73-year old Felipe Tesoro Jr.

“We don’t have financial problem right now. But it’s better to be prepared so I’ll just keep it so we have funds in case of future emergencies,” he added.

Tesoro currently spends his time as a legal officer for the Little Angels Montessori School in Mandaue. He’s a retired Supreme Court employee.