Lower age requirement for partial centenarian aid sought

CEBU CITY (May 14, 2024) – The Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) asks the City to allocate an additional P48 million to augment its current allocations for the yearly aid to the elderly.

OSCA head and lawyer Homer Cabaral. | 📷RMN / jkv

Lawyer Homer Cabaral, OSCA head, said his office needs additional funds as the P1.8 billion that the City allocated can only accommodate 90,000 out of the city’s 95,555 registered senior citizens.

He said the current allocation that OSCA received from the City did not include around 5,555 senior citizens who just qualified for the assistance last year.

Cabaral said OSCA plans to submit a supplemental budget proposal to the City Council.

“Maninguha ta nga sa next budget hearing, ma-budgetan nato katong mga senior citizens ang mga registered voters para sa tuig 2023,” he said during OSCA’s Sungkod ni Lolo ug Lola teleradyo program over RMN Sugboanon Channel recently.

“Mangayo ta’g pangaliya, mag-ampo ta og atong paninguhaon nga ma-budgetan ning mga senior citizens nga wala pa ka-avail og financial assistance,” he added.

Cap

Cabaral admitted that his office delayed the approval of new applicants for senior citizens due to its limited funds.

He said that OSCA’s funds for the yearly financial aid for senior citizens is based on guidelines under City Ordinance 2529.

The ordinance states that qualified beneficiaries can avail of the P12, 000 yearly financial assistance from the city provided that they comply with requirements among which is that he or she must be a registered voter as of 2013.

Gladly Received. A senior citizen receives her cash assistance from the City Government during a distribution in 2022.

The senior citizen must also be a resident of the city for at least six months, must be a Filipino citizen, and must have a city-issued senior citizens ID card.

“Mao na’ng usa sa mga rason nga naa ta’y cap sa paghatag og benepisyo sa atong mga seniors, ilabi na ni’ng mga registered voters gikan sa years 2013 and beyond,” Cabaral said.

‘Partial’ centenarian aid

In a related development, the OSCA also announced that it will give additional cash aid for senior citizens ages 80 and above.

OSCA‘s Reynaldo Abesia. | 📷 RMN / jkv

Reynaldo Abesia, OSCA administrative head, said the additional cash aid aims to give benefits to senior citizens who have yet to reach the age of 100.

This is in line with Republic Act 11982 or the Centenarian Act of 2016.

The law provides P10, 000 worth of cash gifts for all Filipinos reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95, while those who reach the age of 100 are entitled to P100,000.

Abesia said the City Council also passed an ordinance in support of RA 1198, which provides a yearly appropriation.  

“Seldom naman gyud kaayo atong mga senior citizens nga makaabot panang edara. At least ma-enjoy ang cash incentives before reaching 100,” he added.

Cabaral, however, said he plans to propose to the City Council to lower the age of beneficiaries for the partial centenarian aid from 80 to 70.

He said lowering the age of qualified beneficiaries will allow seniors to enjoy the benefits without the long wait.

Centenarian aid. OSCA personnel visits the residence of Filomeno Montecillo, a centenarian beneficiary (seated).

“Kung partial man gane na, mohanyo ta nga paubsan gamay (ang edad). Kung 70, P10, 000 (ang madawat); kung 80, P20, 000. Kwaan-kwaan nato ang P100, 000,” he said.

Cabaral said that not all senior citizens could reach the age of 80, thus the need for the incentive to be given early.

 “Dili practical (kung paabton pa og 100). Tinood nga makaabot lage og 100 pero maglubog na sad ka. Dili na nimo mapahimuslan ang P100,000,” he added. | RMN / jkv

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