THE Philippine Association of Retired Persons Inc. (Parp) will mark its 20th anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, with a discussion on the fate of the cash assistance for senior citizens from the Cebu City Government.
Parp has invited Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama to speak on City Hall plans and programs for seniors and retirees. Expected to be discussed also is the P1,000 monthly cash aid for senior citizens.
Since Mayor Edgardo Labella and Rama assumed their respective posts last June 30, the aid’s distribution has been suspended for lack of funds
Rama, as City Council presiding officer, is expected to give an update on the proposed supplemental budget that would cover the release of the cash aid for the months of July and August. He would discuss also the City’s plans and programs on empowering senior citizens and retirees.
Parp was started in 1999 in Manila, and it later moved its base to Cebu City. Among Parp’s accomplishments was the increase in Social Security System monthly pension to P2,500 as a result of the insistence of its national executive board headed by its founder, Amado F. Cabaero. In Cebu, Parp facilitated the release of the Government Service Insurance System pension of one of its members who was denied her pension for 20 years.
Its latest accomplishment was the approval in January 2019 of House Bill 8837 for the creation of the National Commission of Senior Citizens. The measure was filed by senior citizen party-list Rep. Francisco G. Datol Jr. Lawyer Mafeo Vibal, Parp vice president for external relations, pushed the bill to Datol.
Parp’s 20th anniversary celebration at the Capitol Central Hotel on N. Escario St. in Cebu City on Sunday will open at 11 a.m. with a mass. It will be followed by a lunch, then the induction of new members and the forum with Rama.
Parp updates will also be reported to the body, especially the creation of the first-ever Seniors Mental Health Support Group.
The forum is open to the public, but lunch will be at P500 per person. For questions or to confirm attendance, contact Grace Cabaero-Ferreros at 0943-862-3206, or email her at graceferreros28@gmail.com.