PB okays Toledo ordinance granting benefits to seniors

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is supporting Toledo City government’s move to strengthen the implementation of the law that grants benefits and privileges to senior citizens.

The Provincial Board yesterday approved the City Ordinance penalizing a month of imprisonment and a fine of not exceeding P1,000 to all common carriers, buses, jeepneys, trisikads, and tricycles operating within the city that does not give 20 percent discount to senior citizens.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Ricardo “Kuya Nick” Pepito is an adaptation of Republic Act No. 7432, which grants benefits and privileges to seniors.

Board Member Raul Alcoseba, who heads the PB committee on senior citizens, recommended for the approval of the city ordinance after the committee found legal basis for its enactment.

 A year ago, the PB approved a city ordinance institutionalizing the extra benefits and privileges to all senior citizens in the city.

 “We appreciate the move of the City of Toledo by enacting two ordinances for the benefit of the senior citizens of Toledo City,” Alcoseba said.

 Alcoseba said the rationale for the enactment of the said ordinances is to support the implementation of the Senior Citizens’ Act in order for them to enjoy the benefits intended for them and encourage them to contribute and actively participate for the growth and progress of the city. 

 The Toledo Senior Citizens Ordinance also authored by Pepito provides an appropriation of five percent of the total annual budget to be made available for financial assistance, benefits, and privileges for senior citizens.

 “The senior citizens, now mostly in their twilight years need more attention, respect, love and care from the government to whom these senior citizens have dutifully serves in various capacities during their younger and productive years,” Pepito said.

 Councilor Helen Jill Espinosa, who heads the City Council’s committee on budget and appropriations, said they have given P500 each to senior citizens and they are proposing to make it P1,000 each this year to be given every December.

 Toledo City has around 12,000 senior citizens registered with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs. (FREEMAN)