Who’s blocking proposal to hike Makati seniors’ cash gift?

Romulo “Kid” Peña  INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

So who’s to blame?

Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña has accused the city council of blocking his proposal to double the cash incentives for the city’s senior citizens.

In a statement, Peña said that the councilors—whom he described as allies of his rival for the mayoralty—Rep. Abigail Binay, had disregarded his proposal despite the approval of a P154.93-million budget for the increase.

He said he submitted a letter to the council on Aug. 11, 2015, more than a month after he assumed office when Binay’s brother, Junjun, stepped down as Makati mayor due to allegations of overpricing.

Under the city’s Elderly Welfare Program, seniors aged 60 to 69 are entitled to a P2,000 incentive; those between 70 to 79 years old are given P3,000 while those aged 80 and above will receive P4,000.

Sought for comment, Councilor Marie Althea Casal Uy clarified that Junjun Binay was the original proponent of the increase. She also said that the council was just being cautious and waiting for the Social Welfare Department to submit a validated list of the qualified beneficiaries following Peña’s claim that it was riddled with “ghost” senior citizens.