Second quarter aid for seniors up for release

CEBU, Philippines — Around 87,000 senior citizens in Cebu City will receive P3,000 worth of financial assistance for the second quarter this year starting June 26.

Liaison officers from the city’s 80 barangays will serve as focal persons to help out disbursement officers and city hall employees in bringing the aid to the respective houses of the senior citizens, said Jeffrey Ocampo, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs.

“So, we have different focal points. It will be the guide in sending the money from house to house,” added Ocampo.

The distribution will be conducted simultaneously in the 80 barangays so there will be no order of distribution as all barangays will be prioritized.

“Actually, we still have ample time in distributing this assistance since the mayor is giving out some considerations for the financial assistance, especially the senior citizens,” Ocampo said.

With the prevailing situation, Ocampo said they will “track a house-to-house protocol,” adding the guidelines remain except for minor changes. All senior citizens are advised to have their own ballpens and to sanitize their hands with alcohol before and after receiving the money.

Ocampo said the house-to-house distribution will be conducted for 10 working days starting June 26. He said the arrangement is “one way for OSCA to reach out to the senior citizens” in this time of the pandemic.

The cash assistance covers the months of April, May, and June this year. — Deogracia William Bemida, Silliman University Intern, FPL (FREEMAN)