BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — Starting this year, the city government of Borongan will increase the monthly stipend for senior citizens from P500 to P1,000, as stipulated under City Ordinance No. 295, Series of 2024.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Lyra Gel Agda Limbauan, revises Section 4 of City Ordinance No. 210, Series of 2012, which originally granted monthly allowance to eligible senior citizens in the city.
“This increase in the monthly cash allowance for our grandfathers and grandmothers reflects our commitment to improving their welfare. It is my way of fulfilling my promise to provide consistent support to the elderly in Borongan,” Councilor Limbauan said.
Limbauan cited inflation as one of the primary reasons for raising the monthly allowance for the elderly, emphasizing the need to help seniors cope with rising living costs.
“Many are no longer employed and rely solely on government-provided monetary allowances to sustain their daily needs. Therefore, it is essential to periodically adjust the allowance for senior citizens to help maintain their quality of life amid rising costs,” the ordinance states.
About 5,800 senior citizens in Borongan are expected to benefit from the stipend increase. The program specifically targets seniors who are not part of the national Social Pension Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Flor Amoyo, 67, said she is happy that the government looks after the elderly in the city through its programs and services tailored for them.
“Damo an mga programa han city government para ha am asya nga nalilipay ak,” Nanay Flor added.
(I’m happy because the city government has lots of programs for us senior citizens.)
In addition to the monthly stipend, Borongan’s senior citizens also benefit from various programs, including the Libre Medisina Program, the Dukwag Agrikultura Program, and the Libre Sakay Program.
She also mentioned that she loved riding the free buses because they are more comfortable compared to tricycles, the primary mode of transportation in the city.
“Dako na gad in nga bulig an monthly allowance kay mayda ko na iparalit hin pagkaon ngan gatas,” she added.
(The monthly allowance is a big help to buy food and milk.)
In a Facebook post, Limbauan extended her gratitude to her colleagues in the city council led by Vice Mayor Emmanuel Tiusonco and City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda for their support in making the program a reality. (VTG)
Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda announces that he will propose an increase in the monthly allowance for senior citizens during a consultative meeting in July 2024. (Photo courtesy of Borongan City Information Office)
