Osca receives complaints: Seniors denied free parking?

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) of Cebu City is currently addressing two challenges: complaints over the implementation of free parking privileges and a rising number of eligible beneficiaries stretching its quarterly budget for financial aid.

OSCA Head Chito Aragon revealed that multiple formal complaints have been filed by senior citizens after being denied free parking privileges as mandated by City Ordinance 2711, or the Cebu City Senior Citizens Parking Exemption Ordinance of 2023.

However, Aragon stressed that some seniors are under the impression that they are entitled to free parking anywhere in the city.

“Ang mga seniors man gud, musulod silag parking areas, ilang pagtuo free na sila tanan. But specific kaayo ang naa sa ordinansa,” he said.

Aragon clarified that the exemption only applies to parking areas of business establishments, malls, hospitals, clinics, or similar places within Cebu City.

The ordinance excludes overnight parking, valet parking, public street parking, and spaces not connected to any commercial establishment.

OSCA Administrative Staff Member Reynaldo Abesia noted several complaints stemmed from establishments having only limited designated spaces for senior citizens.

Seniors who ended up using regular parking spaces were reportedly charged fees despite being eligible for exemptions.

He admitted that monitoring whether designated spaces were used properly remains a challenge, and that establishments are responsible for enforcing compliance.

Most complaints were related to the rule allowing only the first three hours of parking to be free for seniors. Beyond that, payment is required, as stated in Section 2 of the ordinance.

Other complaints involving malls and restaurants were resolved after establishments were informed about the ordinance. Repeat violators are referred by OSCA to the City Legal Office, which imposes the appropriate penalties.

“Kita, settlement ra man ni atoa diri. Kung dili sila mu abide sa balaud, ang CLO maoy mu hatag nila og legal sanction,” Abesia said, adding that all related complaints were eventually settled.

Since the ordinance took effect, OSCA has recorded more than 20 formal complaints. Aragon said they have conducted barangay meetings to educate seniors about their parking rights and have met with business owners to ensure compliance.

Alcover said most seniors seem aware of the ordinance.

“Posible sad tingali nga naay mga senior nga until now wala pa kahibalo [sa ordinansa], pero ang akong nahibaw-an, kung naa silas siyudad, naa silay sakyanan, murag conscious kaayo na sila sa parking. Ang ako gyung nahibaw-an, mura og aware na gyud kasagaran sa mga seniors nganhi sa syudad, nga naay mga sakyanan, libre sila sa parking,” he shared.

To avail of the parking benefit, senior citizens must present a valid OSCA ID. The privilege applies whether the senior is the driver or passenger.

Establishments that violate the ordinance face penalties of ?1,500 for the first offense, ?3,000 for the second, and either a ?5,000 fine, one year of imprisonment, or both for subsequent offenses.

Meanwhile, OSCA is also managing an increase in the number of eligible senior citizens claiming quarterly financial aid, exceeding its ?275 million budget for the second quarter of 2025.

On June 17, Aragon said the office had to borrow from its third-quarter budget due to the unexpected rise in recipients. However, he clarified that this does not indicate a budget shortfall.

“Naa man ganiy gamay nga adjustment, pero I will not use the term kuwang, pangitaan nato og paagi,” Aragon said.

He explained that savings from previous quarters—leftover funds from unclaimed aid due to deaths or recipients being outside the city—could be used to balance the allocation.

Aragon emphasized that financial aid is only handed to the registered senior citizens themselves, and authorization letters are not accepted. For homebound recipients, staff personally deliver the assistance.

To cover the ?3,000 financial aid for 94,000 eligible seniors this quarter, OSCA spent ?282 million—?7 million more than budgeted. The total annual allocation for senior financial aid in Cebu City is ?1.1 billion.

“Ang nahitabo ron, kay sa first quarter, na utilize nato ?278 million, sa second quarter, atong na utilize ang ?275 million, but due to the increased number of applicants nga mga seniors nga qualified to receive, atong gi merge ang budget sa second quarter ug third quarter,” Aragon said.

He added that by the third and fourth quarters, they plan to use remaining savings to cover any gaps. Should the trend of rising beneficiaries continue, OSCA may request a supplemental budget from the executive branch.

“But if tan-aw nato di gyud kaya, due to the increased number of seniors every year, tan-awon nato tingali og makapangita ta ug naa pa tay budget didto sa executive, then we’ll be asking for supplemental budget,” he said.

Despite the increase in expenditures, Aragon assured that the current financial situation remains under control and there is no cause for concern.

The last day for seniors to claim their financial aid for the second quarter was Friday, June 20. Those who failed to collect it by then will forfeit the benefit for that period. — (FREEMAN) Joseph Adrian Leyson CNU Journalism Intern