Officials defend cake program for elderly

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City officials insisted on the “good intentions” of giving cakes to senior citizens who celebrate their birthdays amid adverse comments from the Commission on Audit.

Jimmy Glomar, officer-in-charge of the Lapu-Lapu City Cooperative and Livelihood Resource Center (LCLRC), said the program not only gives joy to the recipients but also provides livelihood to two women’s groups in the city.

In 2014, the city allocated P6.1 million for the project. Of the amount, P4.8 million went to the livelihood organizations which were responsible for the cakes’ preparation.

These organizations were tapped by a non-government organization called the Kababayen-an sa Opon Nga Nagkahiusa Alang sa Kalamboan (KONKA), a federation of livelihood groups in the city.

The two women’ s groups that produce the required cakes are based in Barangay Gun-ob and supply 1,250 to 1,300 cakes every month to the Lapu-Lapu City government.

Each cake costs P350, which is lower than the prices of most commercial cakes, said Glomar.

Three percent of the groups’ income will then go to KONKA and serve as additional capital to continue its livelihood programs.

“When it comes to poverty alleviation, this program has a huge impact. The federation empowers women as it gives them livelihood opportunities,” Glomar said.

KONKA is composed of 13,000 members and is incidentally managed also by Glomar. (In the same report, COA recommended that Glomar cease from acting as KONKA manager since the position is “in conflict” with his capacity as LCLRC officer-in-charge.)

The distribution of cakes to elderly Oponganons celebrating their birthdays began in 2011, a year after KONKA was formed.

Lapu-Lapu City is home to at least 16,000 senior citizens based on the city’s data in 2013.

During its review of city transactions last year, COA noted that though the amount of money involved in the cake program is immaterial if taken individually, it could have been used for more meaningful projects.

State auditors described the giving of cakes an “unnecessary expenditure.”

Aside from cakes, senior citizens in Lapu-Lapu City also get P1,800 in financial assistance yearly from the city government. Further, the city also sponsors birthday parties to residents who turn 100 years old and more.

"I don't know giunsa na sa COA but nakaayo gyud ni sa (senior citizens) sad, unya part sad gyud ni sa among Lapu-Lapu City Senior Citizens handbook," Mayor Paz Radaza told The FREEMAN.

The handbook, she said, aims to give quality life to senior citizens, aside from discounts on medicines, goods and services.

Radaza said she was wondering why the COA questioned the program when it was fully supported and gained the approval of the City Council. (FREEMAN)