In Borongan City
TACLOBAN CITY – Senior citizens in Borongan City beginning this month are to receive an increase in their monthly monetary allowance as the city government passed and approved an ordinance for such purpose.
Under Ordinance Number 295, which was passed by the city council on November 22, 2024, and signed by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda on December 16, 2024, the monthly allowance for eligible senior citizens was increased to P1,000, doubling the previous amount of P500.
The new measure, set to take effect this month, is expected to benefit more than 5,800 senior citizens in the city or those aged 60 and above.
The initiative, authored by Councilor Lyra Gel Devora, aims to support the elderly population of the city amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.
“This significant adjustment demonstrates the city government’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of our senior citizens and ensuring they live with dignity,” Devora said on her measure.
The ordinance builds on City Ordinance No. 210 passed in 2021, which first institutionalized monetary aid for senior citizens. It aligns with Borongan City’s broader commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its elderly population.
The ordinance states, “The city government of Borongan recognizes the importance of providing sufficient support to senior citizens, ensuring that their rights and welfare are protected, and that they are able to live with dignity.”
To ensure the program remains sustainable and relevant, the ordinance mandates an annual review of the allowance, with active consultation with senior citizens’ groups. This participatory approach ensures that the voices of the elderly are heard and considered in future policy decisions.
With more than 5,800 beneficiaries expected, the city government emphasizes that the program is designed to remain aligned with its fiscal capacity, ensuring that the financial support provided is both adequate and sustainable.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/ROEL T.AMAZONA)
