THE amendment to the ordinance that provides incentives to senior citizens of the city is set to result in more beneficiaries as it contains a provision to include those who are between 60 and 64 in age.
The ordinance provides P1,500 financial assistance annually to seniors.
Councilor Ralph Abella of the Second District said the amendment expands the number of beneficiaries from 125,344 to 162,245,
Abella said more beneficiaries by expanding its coverage to those who are 60 and above strengthen the commitment of the city to the elderly in helping them wade through old age.
Initially, the local law, Ordinance No. 0105-19, only provides financial assistance to 65 or older..
Abella, main proponent of the amendment which was approved last week, said the financial assistance is necessary considering the needs of the elderly as they become older.
The amendment also includes the exemptions to the qualification process of beneficiaries. While senior citizens used to require them show proof that they are registered voters in one of the city districts before, this is not a requirement anymore as long as they can provide a certificate of residency from the barangay that states they are Davao City residents for at least five years.
Although the funds for the cash grant will be sourced from the annual city budget, Ordinance No. 0954-22 also gives power to the barangays to award a similar grant with funding coming from their collected Real Property Tax.
The grant will be awarded every second week of November. Whether or not the amendment will be implemented depends on the availability of the fund.
