THE 20TH City Council on Tuesday passed on second reading an ordinance providing job opportunities for senior citizens.
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. proposed the ordinance providing legislative authority to the city mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Jollibee and Golden Arches Development Corporation.
The MOA will greenlight the partnership for these corporations to adopt the policy promoting work opportunities for the elderly in the city.
“Our senior citizens are strong and healthy, even our retirees are not necessarily old and frail, but are still capable of contributing so much to our society,” Mahipus said.
Mahipus earlier said that the measure will empower senior citizens in income generation and contribute to the city’s economy.
He said that for the initial agreement, only two corporations have expressed intent to adopt the policy, but they are urging other establishments from the private sector to implement the same.
“We are encouraging all the establishments that we passed through the resolution earlier addressed to the Davao City Chamber and Commerce for them to have their members to have this policy,” he stressed.
Councilor Pilar Braga expressed her support for the ordinance that not only the city provides cash subsidies to the elderly but also the opportunity to work.
“This is a welcome move, especially to our senior citizens. There’s going to be a definite policy for the benefits for our senior citizens to give them priority when it comes to work when they are able to,” Braga said.
To note, Braga introduced changes to the Amended Annual Financial Assistance to all Qualified Senior Citizens Ordinance of Davao City of 2022, which aims to double the annual subsidy for seniors from P1,500 to P3,000.
Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre also passed a corollary resolution tapping the Davao Tourism Association, composed of hotels, restaurants, and other tourism establishments, to support the ordinance.
