Elderly receive cash assistance

CEBU, Philippines - The heavy downpour did not stop senior citizens from all over Cebu City to claim their cash gifts from the City Hall yesterday.

This as the Department of Social Welfare and Services and the City Treasurer’s Office simultaneously released P138-million cash assistance to 80 barangays in the city.

Timotea Mejares, 63, of Barangay Mabolo was ecstatic upon receiving the financial assistance from the city.

Mejares went straight to the supermarket to buy kitchen stuffs and food amounting to P1,600.

Aside from saving for the holidays, she said she would spend the rest of the money on paying her debts.

Mejares said the assistance was definitely a big help to senior citizens, adding that she was happy that the process of claiming the cash gift was fast and easy.

Mayor Michael Rama added P1,000 to the P4,000 that was previously given to the senior citizens.

Starting yesterday, at least P3,000 was released to the city elders since the remaining P2,000 was given a few months ago.

DSWS head Catherine Yso and assistant city treasurer Emma Villarete said that so far, the distribution of cash gifts has been peaceful and successful.

Villarete said two representatives have already returned after distributing the cash assistance from their designated barangays.

But she explained that not all senior citizens on the list received the assistance because many of them were not around during the distribution.

Villarete assured that those who did not receive should not worry since they still have ten days to claim their cash assistance at the City Hall. — (FREEMAN)