Talisay seniors get social pension; brgys receive trucks, ambulances

CEBU, Philippines - Around 134 senior citizens of Talisay City received their social pension in a distribution activity yesterday morning at the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs.

The release of the social pension fund covered for six months or from January to June of 2014.

OSCA head Romeo Martinez said the total amount distributed to every registered senior citizen was P3,000 or P500 per month.

Martinez said the social pension for indigent seniors is a financial assistance for food expenses and medical needs in compliance with Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010 which stipulates that indigent senior citizens get P500 monthly stipend.

The priority beneficiaries of the social pension are senior citizens 77 years old and above who are frail, sickly and disabled, without a regular source of income and/or support from any member of the family, and not receiving other pension benefits from government and private agencies.

At 104, Lola Pinias Igina from Barangay Maghaway is the oldest recipient of the social pension.

Igina said she considers herself lucky because at her age, she is still strong and can walk although assisted by her relatives.  She added that she will use her pension to buy food and medicine.

The elderly are generally thankful for the regular remittance from government saying that  it is a big help in meeting their basic needs.

Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, meanwhile, said he is planning to give additional incentives every time the seniors celebrate their birthday.

"Akong paninguha-on nga sa sunod tuig, akong mahatagan ang tanang mga senior citizen og pahalipay matag saulog sa ilang adlaw’ng natawhan aron malipay pud sila (I will work hard so that by next year, I will be able to give senior citizens a present during their birthdays)," De los Reyes said.

Garbage trucks

Meanwhile, six barangays in Talisay City received garbage trucks for solid waste management and ambulances for emergency response, a realization of the project of  De los Reyes in his first term.

Barangay Captains Joel Cabo of Lawaan I, Vic Bas of Mohon, Rey Bas of Biasong, Andrew Bacusmo of Cansojong, Boy Pelonio of Lawaan II and Elzevier Abraham of San Roque personally received the garbage trucks and ambulances.

The city paid P2.4 million for the trucks.

De los Reyes said the barangays will be responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles, including their fuel.

The major said he is hoping the trucks would help boost the solid waste management program of the city. He also emphasized the importance of segregation which, should first start at the barangay level as stipulated in the law.

"Mahimo na unya nga hapsay ug limpyo kaayo ang tibuok siyudad sa Talisay kay daghan naman ang mga sakyanan nga mohakot sa mga basura. Magtinabangay man ang tanan mao nga manghinaot ko nga mutabang mo bisan usa ka adlaw sa paghakot og basura diha sa merkado sa Tabunok (Talisay City is set to become orderly and clean since there are now more trucks to collect garbage. Everybody is cooperating and I'm hoping that residents will help collect garbage in Tabunok market even for just a day)," De los Reyes said.

Under Section 10 of the Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2000, segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level, especially for biodegradable, compostable and reusable waste.

Meanwhile, De los Reyes hopes that the ambulance service in the barangay will serve its purpose in case of emergencies and accidents.  — Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)