‘Politics’ deprive seniors of benefits

CEBU, Philippines- Some local government units have deprived the senior citizens of the benefits from the provincial government because of the chief executives' willful refusal to submit a list of beneficiaries for fear that it would be used for political ends.

Provincial Board Member Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba admitted that some senior citizens have been held hostage by 'too much politicking.'

Alcoseba, however, refused to divulge the names of the LGUs but admitted most of them are not allied with the administration.

He explained that the verified lists from the towns are needed to determine the beneficiaries and so that all of those who are on the list can avail the benefits under the programs of the Cebu Provincial Senior Citizens' Council (CPSCC).

"Basin unya naay mangreklamo nga wa mahatagan. Kung di mohatag ang LGUs sa lista, mabiyaan gyod sila," he said.

Alcoseba, chairman of the Committee on Senior Citizens Affairs, authored the ordinance creating the Cebu Provincial Senior Citizens' Council.

He said this is one of his two ordinances accomplished in the first year of service. The other ordinance is the creation of the Provincial Sports Commission.

The CPSCC ordinance which seeks after the welfare of the elderly also provides a comprehensive healthcare and rehabilitation system for disabled senior citizens to foster their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive aging.

Alcoseba said a total of P5 million has been allocated this year as initial budget for the programs of CPSCC.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III sits as chairman of the council while Alcoseba is the vice chairman. The rest of the members of the council are the chairman of the PB committee on social services, President of the Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens, and the representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and two non-government senior citizens' organizations.

The ordinance is in adherence to the constitutional policies provided in Republic Act 7432 or "An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizen's to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for other Purposes," as amended.

The law was further amended by RA 9994, or "An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens."

The creation of CPSCC was also required by Republic Act 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991" to approve the establishment of a provincial council for the elderly.

Alcoseba recounted the reports that some senior citizens from other towns are transferring to Cebu City to avail of the hefty financial assistance being offered by the city government.

To recall, Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña admitted that some of the senior citizens in his town are moving to Cebu City to avail of the yearly P12,000 financial assistance.

With this problem, Alcoseba pointed out the need to register the senior citizens in different towns to CPSCC to address their concerns.

"Daghang senior citizens nga wa nahibalo sa ilang benefits… Importante gyod ang listahan kay aron di lang sila mahatagan og assistance, benefits pod," he said.

He added that should there be enough funds available in the province, additional benefits will also be given to the senior citizens. —/FPL) (FREEMAN)