THE Lapu-Lapu City Government’s recent distribution of P2,500 as annual financial assistance in cash should have boosted the spirits of its senior citizens, especially during the Christmas season.
However, the lack of an efficient system of distribution and the unprofessionalism of local government staff in relating with the elderly marred what should have been an occasion for Lapu-Lapu City officials to acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens.
In Abono and Pajac, where the elderly endured a long wait, discomfort and discourtesy, the process of distributing the financial aid tested the endurance and dignity of those who least deserve such treatment.
Since the Cebu City Government also simultaneously distributed the P3,000 last tranche of its P12,000 annual assistance to its elderly, the chaotic and exasperating process prevailing in Lapu-Lapu City’s elderly aid distribution was inevitably compared with the former and emerged more dismal than ever.
Efficiency, Respect
Last Dec. 16, Juliana and neighbor Marina rushed to the Abono Elementary School after hearing that the P2,500 financial aid would be distributed that day. (Real names are withheld as requested by the sources.)
They arrived after lunch at the school gym, only to learn that dozens of other senior citizens were complaining that, even though they came before the process officially started in the morning, they had yet to receive their aid.
Only one cashier released the cash. Senior citizens passed their senior citizen identification (ID) cards to staff gathered around a long table, who called out the names of recipients after picking ID cards from several piles.
However, no proper prioritization was given to those who submitted early because a number of individuals often approached the desk and rearranged the piles of ID cards. Ironically, while the staff did not chastise those disrupting the piles of ID cards, they castigated senior citizens who asked for updates about the distribution.
One female staff in the Abono gym would answer inquiries from the elderly with a patronizing retort: “Are you going to sing for the company?”
Due to the crowd milling around the distribution of cash, some of those whose turn was called would take some time to reach the desk.
Beyond hollering if these members were “absent or present?”, no efforts were made by the staff to assist the elderly whose hearing and walking disabilities made it difficult for them to immediately hear and respond.
Assistance
Juliana observed that the cramped and dirty venue exacerbated the effects of the delays on the elderly, many of whom are of frail health and came unaccompanied. Poor ventilation, heat and the disorder increased the discomfort of the citizens, many of whom skipped breakfast and lunch to line up for the aid.
At the Pajac barangay hall, the system was hardly better. An elderly presenting her ID card was asked by a member of the staff to come back later as the pile of ID cards was still high. Yet, she observed the same worker accept the ID card of a person who came after her.
After insisting that the worker also accept her ID card, the senior citizen sat nearby and noticed how ID cards were shuffled by those who took advantage of opportunities to advance their card over others who were earlier than them.
Aside from exerting no effort to streamline the distribution of the financial aid, the Pajac staff also failed to professionally handle members whose lack of the proper requirements prevented them from receiving assistance.
An elderly woman was informed that her lack of the green-colored senior citizen’s ID card disqualified her. However, no staff member explained to her that the white-colored ID she possessed was used only to avail herself of the 20-percent discounts extended to the elderly. No advice was also given on how she could avail herself of the green-colored ID.
Worse, despite the fact that the elderly submitted her white ID car to a member of the staff, she was informed only about the lack of proper requirements after hours of waiting.
The Lapu-Lapu City Government’s ineptitude and insensitivity in distributing financial aid speak volumes of its sincerity in honoring its senior citizens who deserve better.