The local government of San Juan headed by Mayor Francis Zamora celebrated the birthdays of 442 senior citizens on Tuesday, and paid tribute to the contributions of the city’s elderly population to the country’s development.
On top of their well-deserved recognition, the celebrators also received cash assistance that the city government hopes will help them procure their needs, such as medicines and groceries.
Zamora said the cash incentive is in accordance with City Ordinance No. 81, series of 2022, or the Ordinance Further Extending Financial Benefits to Senior Citizens Who Have Reached the Ages of 70, 80, and 90 Years of Age and Providing Funds for the Purpose.
“We are doing this to recognize the efforts of our senior citizens in nation-building,” Zamora said.
He added that the cash gifts that were distributed represent the local government’s desire to help the city’s elderly with their needs.
“This is just the start of this program. So I am encouraging our seniors to register with our Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs [OSCA],” said Zamora.
Some 333 70-year-old senior citizens received P3,000 in cash; 90 80-year-old citizens got P5,000 each, and 19 90-year-olds received P8,000 each.
There was also a cake-blowing ceremony done by the 90-year-olds who represented all the senior citizens in the city.
Zamora said that senior citizens living in San Juan who wish to enjoy these benefits may apply at the OSCA and bring with them the following documents: senior citizen ID, proof of residency from their barangay, birth certificate, and any valid government ID with an address in San Juan City.
Meanwhile, Zamora reiterated that the city government will continue to create programs that will benefit its senior citizens.
A senior citizens’ center is currently under way and will be opened for seniors’ recreation purposes.
Senior citizen couples who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and are still married and living together are also entitled to a P50,000 cash gift.
The Public Assistance Center (PAC), through the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the Congresswoman, is also open to giving assistance to senior citizens, including free burial assistance and cremation.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is also drafting an ordinance that will give incentives to business establishments that will hire senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“It’s a win-win situation for the establishment and the seniors. Tuloy-tuloy lang po ang mga programa natin para sa mga senior citizen dito sa San Juan,” Zamora said.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza
