The legislation, authored by Councilor Annabeth Cuizon, is still subject for review by the committee on laws.
Cuizon’s measure is titled “An Ordinance Institutionalizing the Grant of Cash Assistance to All Qualified Senior Citizens of the City of Lapu-Lapu and Providing Funds Thereof.”
“This ordinance aims to provide aid to the senior citizens to enable them to purchase maintenance medicines, vitamins and other provisions related to the upliftment for their mental health and general well-being,” read a portion of the proposed ordinance.
Lapu-Lapu City’s senior citizens have been receiving P8,000 in financial aid annually, but it is not backed by an ordinance.
Under the proposed ordinance, the cash assistance will be given to the qualified senior citizens in two installments — in the third week of June and third week of December.
The distribution will be held in the barangays, wherein the facilities should be accessible, convenient and comfortable for senior citizens.
Requirements
The legislation states that senior citizens who are qualified to receive the cash assistance must have the following: a valid and original Senior Citizen’s Identification Card issued by the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (Osca) of Lapu-Lapu City signed by the office head and Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan; and a certification from the Commission on Election (Comelec) that he or she is a registered voter and has voted during the most recent elections.
Letters of authorization, however, shall not be honored since the cash assistance will be released to senior citizens whose name appears on the payroll upon presentation of the senior citizen’s ID.
It also states that the cash assistance for bedridden senior citizens will be delivered to their houses, which is why immediate families should inform Osca and submit a medical certificate to ensure that the status of their family member is updated.
The proposed ordinance mandates Osca and the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to arrange a releasing schedule with the Lapu-Lapu City Jail warden for senior citizens deprived of liberty within 15 working days from the first day of release.
It further states that relatives of senior citizens whose death occur within two weeks prior to the first day of the release or during the said period can still claim the cash assistance at the CTO.
However, this is still subject to the submission of the following: original death certificate, proof of relationship of the deceased, birth certificate, marriage certificate and senior citizen’s ID of the deceased.
Unclaimed aid
Unclaimed cash assistance during the barangay distribution date shall be claimed at the CTO within 15 working days from the first day of releasing.
“Unclaimed cash assistance shall be reverted to government coffers and shall not be given on the next release. The senior citizen waives the right to the cash assistance should they fail to claim within the prescribed period,” the proposed ordinance said.
Meanwhile, approved beneficiaries shall have their names deleted from the payroll on the following cases: failing to claim the cash assistance for two consecutive releasing; in case of death but upon the presentation of a certified true copy of the original death certificate to the Osca; and change of address or upon the submission of a formal letter request.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office and Osca shall ensure the inclusion of the appropriations in the annual budget for the General Fund Proper (Elderly Citizens Welfare Program) for the full implementation of the ordinance for the next fiscal or calendar year. The appropriations shall be based on the number of senior citizens listed as of July 31 of the current year.
“For purposes of establishing the final list of eligible beneficiaries for June and December 2023, the cut-off date for inclusion of approved beneficiaries to the payroll is on April 30, 2023,” the proposed ordinance said.