Manila disburses P13M in financial aid to senior citizens via PayMaya

Manila has released over P13 million in financial assistance to eligible senior citizen beneficiaries through PayMaya, the company announced Thursday.

In a statement, PayMaya said the amount covered three months' worth of stipend from January to March this year, credited to accounts of 9,000 senior citizens as part of the initial batch equipped with citizen identification cards.

"Disbursing cash assistance via-ewallets is a safer and more transparent means in providing financial aid to citizens, since it minimizes cash handling and provides a record of money transfer," said PayMaya founder and chief executive officer Orlando Vea.

"We are happy to see our services being utilized during this enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for the benefit of one of the most vulnerable segments of Manila's population," he added.

The PayMaya-enabled citizen identification card initiative was launched in late 2019 as part of the Manila City government's benefit program for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.

Some 17,000 ID cards have since been released, with distribution set to resume once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted. Senior citizens yet to be equipped with ID cards will be receiving cash assistance through barangay captains.

"Our partnership with PayMaya has enabled us to deliver fast and transparent financial assistance to our senior citizens at this time of great need, allowing them to receive their benefits from the safety of their own homes," said Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.

"Digital financial services helps us to continue serving our constituency despite our current public health challenges," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon from March 17 to April 13. It has since been extended to last until April 30 given the rising number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). -NB, GMA News