Makati to hike cash gifts for senior citizens starting June

Starting June, some 21,000 registered senior citizens aged 70 years old and up living in Makati City can look forward to additional cash incentives from the city government.

 

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. cited the passage of a city ordinance increasing the allowance given to elderly citizens aged 70 to 79 from P2,000 to P3,000.

 

The ordinance also increases the allowance for senior citizens 80 years old and up from P3,000 to P4,000.

 

But the beneficiaries must be holders of BLU Cards to avail of the cash incentives.

 

“Giving more incentives to our elderly citizens is part of our efforts to help make life easier for them as they reach the twilight years. We could not thank them enough for their legacy, especially the invaluable services they rendered to society during their prime,” Binay said in a news release.

 

The mayor said in giving the increased cash incentive, the local government aims to help ease the financial burden of senior citizens and their families, whose expenses go up as seniors age due to their need for medicines and nutritional supplements.

 

The registered senior citizens will receive the cash incentive in two equal installments on the first two weeks of June and December.

 

Those who are unable to personally claim the cash incentive must authorize a relative as beneficiary.

 

City social welfare chief and acting city administrator Marjorie de Veyra said cash gifts left unclaimed in June will be forfeited, but beneficiaries can still avail of the remaining incentive in December.

 

De Veyra added only senior citizens 70 years old and over will be given the additional cash incentive. Those between 60-69 will still get the regular P2,000 in two equal installments.

 

A total of 52,500 senior citizens aged 60 and up are registered in Makati under the BLU Card program as of the first quarter of 2012.

 

Aside from cash incentives, senior citizens in Makati also receive free medical and hospitalization benefits at the Ospital ng Makati, and free access to movie houses in the city’s malls.

 

If a BLU Card holder dies, his or her beneficiaries may receive burial assistance amounting to P3,000.

 

The latest perk gives seniors free salon and spa services such as haircuts, manicures and foot spa, massage and other grooming services offered by the mobile beauty salon and spa going around the city, and two regular salons in Bgy. Tejeros and Bgy. Comembo. –KG, GMA News