City to give seniors’ cash aid thru ATMS

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government will coordinate with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to continue with the distribution of the senior citizens’ financial assistance this month while the city is under a state of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Mayor Edgardo Labella announced yesterday the city’s plan to use cash cards in distributing the financial aid to the elderly while the mandatory stay at home order and social distancing measures are being implemented.

Labella said they will negotiate with LBP for the issuance of cash cards. This will be used by the senior citizens or authorized persons in withdrawing the assistance in an automated teller machine (ATM).

These cash cards will be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare Services in collaboration with the barangays, as well as the same group assigned for the distribution of the financial assistance and the police.

“Kung atong ipadayon tong traditional or usual nato nga adto sa mga sports complex, maghuot gyud ang mga senior citizens,” said Labella.

He said the purpose of the social distancing protocol will be defeated.

“We will try to convince Land Bank. Anyway dako man tag deposit sa Land Bank and I hope that they will really accommodate this request,” said Labella.

Labella said they will also request that the ATM will not be limited to Land Bank.

The city has at least 80,000 registered senior citizens.

Each senior citizen is set to receive P2,000 financial aid representing the assistance for the months of March and April at P1,000 per month.  GAN (FREEMAN)