Radaza belies rumors on seniors’ cash gifts

CEBU, Philippines – Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday denied rumors that the Lapu-Lapu City government failed to release the exact amount of cash gift to senior citizens last December.

Radaza clarified that the total amount of cash aid distributed to each senior citizen was only P1,800 and not P2,000 as was told by some quarters.

"I would like to debunk the rumors being spread against my administration regarding the cash gifts given to our senior citizens," Radaza said during her speech after yesterday's flag raising ceremony.

"Daghan ang mga nanggawas nga istorya nga kuno ang gipanghatag nga cash gift was worth P2,000, apan ang gi-release nga amount para sa mga senior citizen kay P1,800 ra. Di kini tinuod," she added.

Radaza said the city's disbursing officers encountered some problems with changing the bills during distribution.

"Tungod niana, ang mga cashier nato nangayo og P200 sa mga senior citizens, and in turn, gihatagan sila og P2,000," the mayor explained.

Radaza, who said she is a senior citizen herself and a holder of the city's green card, also hopes that City Hall employees will help her explain to those who are spreading what she called was a "baseless rumor."

Back then, the city would gift the seniors P1,500 in cash and two kilos of rice but Radaza said this was impractical considering that some of the recipients would have a hard time carrying the goods.

This was the reason why they opted last month to add P300 to the P1,500 and to do away with the rice.

"In that way they will just go home bringing P1,800 instead of having to carry rice which is heavy for many senior citizens who are not strong enough," she said.

"To those spreading lies, disinformation and trying to destroy the respect that my administration has so far earned because of the principle of good governance and accountability that I have lived by in my two terms as mayor, just quit it. It's not working," she said.

A total of 17,996 senior citizens from different barangays in Lapu-Lapu City received the cash gift from the city government before Christmas.