IT WILL be a merrier Christmas for registered senior citizens of Lapu-Lapu City after Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan increased the cash aid this year from the P500 they had expected to P3,500.
The cash aid was distributed by Chan last weekend in various barangays of the city. Those who were unable to claim it can still go to City Hall to avail of the benefit.
The senior citizens, numbering around 26,528, were only supposed to receive P500 this Christmas since they were already given P3,500 in assistance last June.
Senior citizens of Lapu-Lapu City normally receive P4,000 yearly from the local government.
Chan, who is on his first term as mayor after having won the elections last May, added P3,000 to the aid this year.
A budget of P92.8 million was set aside for them.
Aside from the cash gifts, Chan also released P1,000 to senior citizens whose birthdays fell in the months of November and December. Almost P2.917 million was allocated by the city for the birthday celebrants.
Chan veered away from the city’s tradition of giving away cakes for the birthday celebrants saying he believed it was better to give senior citizens cash so that they themselves could decide on how to spend it.
Meanwhile the Lapu-Lapu City government also raised the cash aid for persons with disabilities (PWD) from P3,000 to P5,000 this year.
A total of P106.47 million was spent for the benefits given by the City to the senior citizens and PWDs. (GCM, RSR)