Mandaue City seniors to get additional P2K

CEBU, Philippines — Here’s a piece of good news to all registered senior citizens in Mandaue City.

Mandaue City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas announced that an ordinance giving additional cash assistance to the city’s senior citizens was approved on third and final reading during their regular session yesterday, May 27, 2024.

“So, gikan sa P8,000 matag tuig mahimo na kining P10,000 matag tuig ang madawat nga financial assistance sa atong 30,000 ka mga senior citizens sa siyudad sa Mandaue,” said Lumapas, the chairman of the committee on Social Services at the City Council.

Lumapas is the main proponent of the ordinance, which entitled: "An Ordinance providing for the increase of the Annual Financial Assistance of the eligible Senior Citizens of the City of Mandaue to Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00) and appropriating funds thereof."

Lumapas said that the first tranche of the increase, which is P1,000 making it to P5,000, is expected to be given by November 2024 while the other tranche will be given next year.

“Our budget officer has assured that the city government have budget for the additional financial assistance,” Lumapas said, adding “natuman na gyud ang dugay na nga yangungu sa atong mga senior citizens nga madungagan ang ilang financial assistance.”

The city government currently allocating P300 million for the 30,000 senior citizens per year.

Lumapas recalled that in 2009, senior citizens in the city received P500 each per year and this was increased to P2,000 each per year, to P4,000 each per year, to P6,000 each per year, and P8,000 each per year.

“Atong makita mga dako na gyud ang improvement sa financial assistance ngadto sa atong mga senior citizens,” Lumapas added.

“Acknowledging the vital role, contributions, and active involvement of the elderly population in advancing nation-building and fostering the City's development, there arises a necessity to augment the annual financial assistance provided to senior citizens of Mandaue City,” the Ordinance reads.

This increase, the proponents said, aims to bolster support for the elderly, particularly in meeting their medical expenses and other financial obligations. — (FREEMAN)