Seniors get April-May cash aid today

CEBU, Philippines —  Senior citizens in Cebu City will finally get their awaited monthly cash aid from the city government today at their respective barangays.

City Treasurer Mare Vae Reyes, however, told recipients not to go to the barangay gym too early to avoid overcrowding the place.

Facemasks, sanitation, and even social distancing are still expected to be followed.

The city government is setting aside P181 million for the latest distribution to over 90,000 beneficiaries at P2,000 each.

The allocated funds are doubled since this is worth two months or for the months of April and May of this year.

The City Treasurer’s Office has sought the assistance of other department heads to help in the disbursement of the cash assistance to ensure the faster release of the money.

Aside from the regular distribution, those who own cash cards already may also withdraw it or via 7-Eleven.

Reyes, in an interview earlier, said that Landbank told them that those who will be withdrawing at 7-Eleven stores are also free of charge.

A house-to-house distribution will also be made for bed-ridden beneficiaries.

Reyes said aside from making things easy for the bed-ridden ones, it will also be the city government’s chance to check on the situation of the seniors for other assistance that may be extended to them as well as making it a validation of sorts if the beneficiary is still around.

The city government still allows representatives for those who are currently not in their respective residences in the city, but on a “case-to-case” basis and still needs validation aside from the authorization letter of the recipient.

Reyes hopes that after the latest distribution, the release of the senior’s cash aid will be back every month after experiencing some delays since last year. — Decemay P. Padilla, GMR (FREEMAN)