QC gov't to provide P500 aid to qualified indigent seniors, solo parents, PWDs

The Quezon City government will provide P500 monthly assistance to qualified indigent senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) for one year.

Mayor Joy Belmonte recently approved Ordinance No. SP-3115, S-2022, which seeks to help alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the price increase of basic goods on the most vulnerable sectors of society.

According to the city government, the ordinance covers indigent senior citizens, solo parents, and PWDs who are not already benefiting from any other regular government financial assistance such as social pension or the cash transfer program.

“Malaki ang maitutulong nito para sa kanilang araw-araw na gastusin sa pagkain, gamot at iba pang pangangailangan [This will be a big help in their daily expenses for food, medicine and other necessities],” Belmonte said.

Only one beneficiary per household can avail of the financial assistance, the city government said.

The cash aid will be given following the approval of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the ordinance.

Target beneficiaries may submit their application to the Office for the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Office (PDAO), or with the Social Services and Development Department (SSDD) for indigent solo parents.

If an applicant passes the OSCA, PDAO, or SSDD’s initial review, the SSDD field unit will conduct a case study to verify their eligibility.

Applicants who pass the case study will then be registered as beneficiaries of the program and will receive cash aid via direct payment, electronic or digital means, or cash card.

After 12 months, OSCA, PDAO or SSDD will conduct a re-evaluation to determine if beneficiaries remain eligible for the program. —Mel Matthew Doctor/KBK, GMA News