Changes in seniors aid program pushed

CEBU, Philippines - To prevent “manipulation” of the program, a city councilor wants to reduce to five days the length of time a senior citizen can claim financial aid from the city government.

At present, a senior citizen qualified to receive the yearly financial assistance from the city has 15 days from the day of the release to claim the aid.

In a proposed resolution, Councilor Lea Japson said it is about time to revisit and update the six-year-old resolution, which stipulates the guidelines and procedures in the distribution of the aid.

“There is a need to amend the Guidelines and Procedures in the distribution of financial assistance to the senior citizens of Cebu City in in order to prevent manipulation of the program by unscrupulous elements of the society,” she said.

Japson, head of the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Finance, said if the recipient or the beneficiary cannot claim the aid within five working days from the date of release or distribution, the cash would be reverted to the general fund and be forfeited in favor of the city government.

“Authorization is not allowed in claiming the financial assistance… in case of bedridden senior citizen, immediate family members should visit their barangay hall and look for their GAD (Gender and Development) Focal to set a schedule for the releasing of financial assistance,” the resolution reads.

Another proposed amendment is to remove from the payroll the names of senior citizens who fail to claim the aid for two consecutive times.

Those removed from the list can re-apply at DSWS as new applicants, but Japson said the city will deny and disapprove the application of a senior citizen who has violated the rule twice.

Japson’s resolution is with the Council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, Public Accountability and Good Government for review.

The city’s Senior Citizens Council, which Japson is also a member, initially issued the same resolution on the proposed amendments.

“From time to time and in order to protect the funds of the City of Cebu, necessary amendments in the distribution of financial assistance must be done,” reads the CCSCC resolution.

The city gives a P12,000 financial aid to 60,000 registered senior citizens in the city.  (FREEMAN)