Elderly in Mandaue get cash assistance

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City's senior citizens started receiving yesterday the other half of their annual cash assistance from the city government.

During the ceremonial distribution at the City Sports and Cultural Complex, Mayor Jonas Cortes announced that the city will increase the P2,000 annual cash assistance by P1,000.

Registered senior citizens received the first half of the cash assistance last June.

There are 13,486 citizens registered under the city's Office of Social Citizens Affairs.

Scheduled to received their cash assistance yesterday were from the elderly from barangays Guizo, Centro, Mantuyong, and Cambaro.

The rest of the senior citizens will receive their financial assistance within the week.

"We are giving financial assistance to senior citizens to help them buy their needs such as medicines," said Michael Pialago, the City Social Welfare Office's focal person.

Pialago said senior citizens in the city enjoy a 50 percent discount on all services at the city hospital.

The city also gives P2,000 as burial assistance to families of senior citizens who pass away.

Pialago said 72 senior citizens in Mandaue also receive P500 every month under the social pension program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.  (FREEMAN)