NEWS BRIEFS

FURTHER DELAY IN SENIORS’ AID

THE release of financial assistance to Cebu City’s senior citizens may be delayed further.

City Accounting Officer Marietta Gumia said disbursing officer Agapita Cesa is no longer qualified to make another cash advance after the Commission on Audit suspended the liquidation of P23 million in cash advances she made  last year  “because of lack of  some requirements.”

COA also asked the city government to gather complete details of senior citizens and update their ID cards.

A review by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs  showed that for almost two years, more than 100 individuals received the P4,000 annual financial aid for residents 60 years old and above although the beneficiaries already died.

The city government appropriates P120 million in financial assistance for  about 30,000 registered senior citizens./correspondent edison a. delos angeles

CITY’S PAYMENT FOR PRIVATE LOT

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama said he wants updates about the lot payment claims made by the heirs of the late Vicente Rallos before taking action on the matter to make sure the people’s money  would not be wasted.

The mayor said he wanted to know who were the persons responsible for the case and if an entry of judgment has been made.

The Court of Appeals ordered the city government to pay the Rallos family, whose lot in the Banilad Estate was expropriated by the city in 1963 for a road project.

In his decision, Associate Justice Edwin Sorongon of the appellate court’s 20th division said the city should pay the Rallos family the principal sum of P9,500 per square meter for the lot, plus interest of 12 percent per annum to be computed 40 days from July 24, 2001 until the amount is paid in full, less the amount already paid.

Cebu City owes the Ralloses at least P30 million for the 3,787 square meter lot.

Antonio Bellones, court sheriff, earlier said the city already paid about P55 million for the lot.

City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez said the city government should settle its obligation to the Rallos heirs.

“As time goes by the interest that we have to pay rises,” he said./chief of reporters doris c. bongcac