The P3,000 annual cash gift to senior citizens won’t likely be implemented this year, a lawmaker clarified.
Councilor Wilberto Al-ag, chair of the committee on social services, in an interview at the sidelines of the Tuesday’s regular session, said they are still finalizing the approval of the ordinance.
The City Council deferred the proposed ordinance for its approval on second reading during Tuesday’s regular session to get the opinion of the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) and the City Budget Office.
“According to our proposal, we will release the said cash assistance every November of each year after this will be approved,” Al-ag said.
Although he is confident the ordinance will pass this year considering there is no opposition from the body, it would not likely be implemented until next year.
The proposed ordinance 114,000 senior citizens with P3,000 annually. Al-ag said they are expecting a P342 million budget to cover the said assistance.
He added that he has coordinated with the committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriations, headed by Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, to source the funds.
To be eligible, the senior citizen must be registered with a certified association in their community. But the city will also verify the residency of the senior citizens through the Commission on Elections.
