Signature campaign on for senior citizens’ aid

CEBU, Philippines - Several local chapters of senior citizens’ association in Cebu City yesterday unanimously agreed to initiate a signature campaign to ask the Cebu City Council to release quarterly their financial assistance.

The signature campaign started yesterday and they are hoping to get 50,000 signatures out of their 62,000 members.

In yesterday’s meeting at the Cebu City Hall, Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella supported the move of several senior citizens groups .

“Ako uyon kaayo ko kay gilatid sa Local Government Code nga for as long as the LGU can afford, it must provide assistance to the elderly. Uyon ko ani petisyon nga mohangyo ta sa Cebu City Council nga dili lang unta nila i-override ang veto ni mayor kay na andan man ang financial distribution sa Pebrero ug dili sa hunyo pa kay dugay na kaayo na,” Labella said.

Dr. Nicanor Maglasang, consultant of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, said they can achieve their goal of 50,000 signatures.

The Cebu City Council has recently approved the P600 million intended as financial aid to the senior citizens but on the condition that the financial assistance will be released only in June this year.

Mayor Michael Rama has vetoed the provision on the releasing of financial aid in June but the City Council exercised its right to override the mayor’s veto.

The petition of senior citizens will be addressed to the Cebu City Council. The petitioners said a quarterly releasing would help them with their daily sustenance for food and medicines. – (FREEMAN)