Rama wants seniors’ aid release on his birthday

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has ordered the release of the senior citizens’ financial allowance on October 28 in time for his birthday.

Usually, the senior citizen’s financial aid is released, once every three months.

Rama announced this during the opening salvo of the seniors’ citizen month yesterday.

“Enting prepare October 28. Ihatag ang sa senior citizens,” Rama told Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affair head Vicente Esmeña.

This will cover two months including the month of September and October.

Esmeña, for his part, said over KTV News that the payroll is already ready.

“Ready na ta…Gasige naman tag pang hashas sa senior citizens..ready na ang payroll,” Esmeña said.

The senior citizens’ list has already been updated after some beneficiaries of the monthly financial aid from the City Government of Cebu were found dead already, yet were still able to “claim”.

The outcome of the investigation of the alleged anomaly was not disclosed in public but Rama hinted yesterday that the employee found to be involved in it is no longer at the City Hall.

Esmeña said they have instructed satellite cluster personnel to verify information about the seniors from the family themselves.

“Dili na to mausab…Ang mga satellite cluster personnel maoy na-gverify sa lista and papirmahon family to confirm,” Esmena said.

Esmeña also hopes that such an incident will not happen again.

“Sa mga disbursing officers, unta dili na mubuhat na mga panghitabo..tangtangon and mag-atubang og mga kaso,” added Esmena.

On the other hand, aside from the release of the next financial assistance, Rama also told seniors who gathered around for their event yesterday that a senior citizen’s center will be built for them soon.

The said center, Rama said, will have a ballroom dancing center for the seniors for their fitness and socialization.

The 9th floor of the City Hall will also have a scenic elevator for the seniors, Rama said, while they also hope to make the entire structure more senior and PWD-friendly. — GMR (FREEMAN)