The Puerto Princesa City local government unit (LGU) will increase its quarterly senior citizens’ financial assistance grant from P1,000 to P1,500 starting January 2020.
City councilor Elgin L. Damasco said that the ordinance received an overwhelming support from all the city councilors including mayor Lucilo Bayron and vice mayor Nancy Socrates that helped its fast-tracked council approval.
“Napakaraming senior citizens ang naghihirap sa pagbili ng gamot at halos napapabayaan ng mga anak. Tulong na natin ito sa kanila upang ipakita na mahal natin ang senior citizens natin,” Damasco said.
Just last week, city councilor Peter Maristela expressed concern over the 3-month delay in the release of funds for the quarterly allowance for the senior citizens.
“Gusto ko lang iparating na delayed ang pagbibigay natin ng allowances sa ating mga seniors. Ano po ba ang nangyayari? Fourth quarter na ngayon pero wala pa tayong nare-release,” Maristela said during his privileged speech last October 7.
Damasco acknowledged that there might have been problems with the current distributing officers on the timely distribution of allowances; however, he is confident that the system will be improved as the ordinance swings full next year.
SDO No. 35-2019, an amendment to Section 4 of the City Ordinance No. 994, passed its third and final reading on Monday morning and is expected to be signed by mayor Bayron within 15 days.
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