BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance granting P2,000 as birthday gift of the local government to all registered senior citizens in the city and appropriating the needed funds for the said purpose.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that it is the declared policy of the local government to always recognize and appreciate the vital contribution of senior citizens in nation-building and their self-sacrifice in making the city a decent, livable and respectable city.
The grant of this cash gift shall apply to all senior citizens of the city during the occasion of their birthdays, provided that, such senior citizens are duly registered with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs and holders of identification cards issued by the local government through the said office.
Under the proposed ordinance, all bonafide senior citizens in the city shall be granted a cash gift of P2,000 during the occasion of their birthdays.
Yangot proposed the allocation of the necessary regular budget from the City Social Welfare and Development Office to sustain the implementation of the pertinent provisions of the proposed local legislative measure.
The OSCA and the City Legal Office shall promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations, with the approval of the City Mayor as necessary for the effective implementation of the ordinance.
The 1987 Constitution provides that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may design programs for them.
Further, the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that the City Council as the local legislative body shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of the same Code and in the proper exercise of the corporate powers as provided for in Section 22 of the Code and approved ordinance which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services and facilities as provided and in addition to said services and facilities.
Yangot underscored the local government values the contribution of the elders in nation-building and they have in their own little ways contributed in the city’s development.
According to him, the local legislative measure appropriates the said role and the rights of elderly being considered integral parts of the city in recognition of their continued community involvement making the city more economically vibrant and progressive.
Under the proposed ordinance, senior citizens or elderly means any resident of the city who is at least 60 years of age while bonafide means a senior citizen duly registered with the office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Office (OSCA).
The OSCA is expected to provide the concerned committee of the local legislative body the appropriate data on the number of bonafide senior citizens who will be entitled to the said birthday gift for the computation of the required budget that will be included in the city’s annual budget.
By Dexter A. See
