City legal office tapped to assist senior citizens

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s Office for Senior Citizens’ Affairs said it receives at least two complaints from the elderly a week.

OSCA would then forward the complaints to concerned government offices for action.

Acting mayor Edgardo Labella looked for a way to expedite the concern of the senior citizens as he tasked the City Legal Office, through an executive order, to assist them in their complaints.

“The City Legal Office of Cebu City is hereby deputized to assist and act as counsel in all complaints relating to the non-compliance with or violation of Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” read Labella’s EO 16-4 issued on January 26, 2016.

The EO is to take effect immediately and should be carried out in close coordination with OSCA, particularly in receiving complaints.

OSCA head Domingo Chavez said he is grateful for this development, which will surely hasten the resolution of the concerns of the senior citizens.

He said OSCA normally receives two to three complaints a week.

He lamented that their office only serves as a liaison center and concerns on labor laws or medical services have to be referred to the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health, respectively.

With the EO, the City Legal Office will particularly assist the complainant in preparing his or her affidavit – complaints and other related pleadings and represent as private prosecutors in the event that the complaint is filed in court.

The city’s legal arm is also tasked to perform other duties and functions assigned by the mayor concerning the promotion and protection of the rights of senior citizens.

Labella said this collaborative effort within the city government will hopefully “give meaning to the rights of senior citizens” consistent to the constitutional principles of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

He cited a particular provision of the Local Government Code of 1991 which provides that local officials have the powers and functions to exercise, such as providing efficient and effective basic services, including programs for the welfare of the elderly.  (FREEMAN)