Mandaue to raise cash aid to PWDs

CEBU, Philippines — More than 3,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Mandaue City will soon receive an increase in their financial aid by the end of the year.

The Mandaue City Council drafted a resolution to amend City Ordinance No. 14-2016-1117, which covers the year-end financial assistance to the PWD from P2,000 to P3,000.

The existing ordinance that was made in 2016 also increased the financial assistance from P1,000 to P2,000.

City Councilor Nenita Ceniza-Layese has approved the resolution on first reading during a special session last June 19.

Layese said the increase of the cash aid will help the PWDs in times of need.

"Considering that high-prices nowadays, especially medicines and other essential commodities, there is a need to increase the aforementioned financial assistance," Layese explained.

All registered members of the city's Office of the Differently-Abled Persons Affairs (ODAPA) will be the beneficiaries of the increased cash assistance, according to Layese.

Last week, Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing wants to increase the cash incentives for the centenarians in Mandaue City from P50,000 cash incentives to P100,000.

He added that it was more appropriate to give the centenarians P100,000 that corresponds to their age, saying that only a few people can reach 100 years old.

The letter he wrote to the City Council requesting to increase the centenarians aid has yet to have a feedback.

Last year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development recorded about 103 centenarians in Central Visayas.

Of the 103, the agency said there are 64 from Cebu, 35 from Bohol, and four from Siquijor. — GAN (FREEMAN)