BY BENJAMIN CASPILLO III & JOSEF DAVIDON, UM Interns
THE PROPOSED financial assistance to the elderly passed another hurdle after lawmakers approved the proposed “Annual Subsidy for Senior Citizens of Davao City” on second reading during the regular session on Tuesday, May 6.
Councilor Pilar Braga, chairperson of the committee on education, science and technology, arts and culture, said the ordinance aims to provide a maximum amount of P3,000 to support the medical and health-related expenses of qualified senior citizens.
“We feel that 1,500 is too small especially this is our senior citizen ayuda para sa kanilang mga gamot, medical needs. Kahit konti lang but at least nakakatulong naman,” Braga said.
The annual subsidy is planned to be released every July, August, September, and October.
Julie Dayaday, City Social Welfare and Development Office head, said they cannot release financial assistance under the current ordinance due to the limited time and the additional responsibilities of handling programs for other sectors. She noted that they have received complaints about delayed payouts.
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr., chairperson of the committee on disaster risk reduction and management, expressed his gratitude for the ordinance’s passing.
“So many senior citizens are already waiting for the increase, your honor, and through this ordinance, there will be an increase to their annual financial assistance they will receive. And this year, it might be earlier because through the amendment, your honor, the payout for the annual financial assistance might start as early as July 2025,” said Mahipus.
The former ordinance, known as “The Amended Annual Financial Assistance to all Qualified Senior Citizens Ordinance of Davao City,” provided annual financial assistance of P1,500 to qualified senior citizens.
