Archival: Increasing cash aid for senior citizens is good but…

Local

COVER all seniors first before raising aid.

This was the stance of Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. when asked about a proposal to increase senior citizen aid.

While a larger cash gift for the elderly here is being considered, Archival emphasized that the government’s immediate priority is simpler: ensure no senior citizen is left behind.

In an interview on Wednesday, August 20, Archival said that proposals to raise the annual cash assistance from P12,000 to P15,000 remain secondary to first addressing the thousands of qualified seniors who have yet to receive their current benefits.

“Actually this is something nga nindot kaayo paminawon, but sa akong sulti naa tay 110,000 ka mga senior citizens. Ang budget a year is P1 billion, pero para ra gyud na sa 80,000. Naa pa’y mga wala nakadawat which is about 30,000. Now increasing it is the goal, but to fulfill it, wala pa ta kabalo kanus-a,” Archival explained.

The mayor emphasized that the “policy direction” is to first cover the 30,000 seniors left out of the program before committing to higher payouts.

Archival said the city’s finances pose a challenge. While Cebu City operates on a P17-billion budget, actual revenues this year are expected to hit only P10 billion.

“Makita nato nga ang tong budget karon is P17 billion and ang tong ma-collecta is only P10 billion… atong aim by next year possibilidad nga maka-hit ta ug P11.5 billion,” he said.

To bridge the gap, the mayor has directed revenue-generating offices to go after at least P1 billion in collectibles from institutions that have yet to pay, while also expanding the tax base.

He cited taxable assets such as elevators, escalators, and large air-conditioning units, along with real properties still without tax declarations.

“If we can increase collections, kay tan-aw nako ang 30,000 ka senior citizen will have approx P300 million. If we have P300 million savings, that could cover them,” Archival said.

Archival’s statement followed Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Sisinio Andales’ call for bigger support to seniors.

In a privilege speech on August 12, Andales urged the council to raise the annual aid to at least P5,000, or another figure deemed reasonable after budget consultations.

He also proposed updating the cut-off year for eligibility from 2013 to 2021 to include more qualified beneficiaries.

“These proposals are not just about figures on paper. It is about restoring dignity, expanding compassion, and honoring our responsibility to those who have given so much to Cebu City,” Andales said.

At present, eligible seniors receive P3,000 per quarter, or P12,000 annually, under Cebu City Ordinance No. 2453, as amended.

Andales argued that the amount, while once helpful, has been eroded by inflation, leaving many elderly struggling with food, medicine, and utility costs.

Archival, however, maintained that expanding coverage takes precedence over increasing payouts. Based on current rates, covering all 110,000 seniors would require about P1.3 billion, exceeding the P1-billion budget already set aside.

“Para sa ako, ang policy direction is kato una ang mga wala kadawat ang unahon. Ang pag-increase is the second goal,” the mayor said.

The city government is banking on stricter tax compliance and stronger revenue collection to eventually widen the program, without imposing new taxes.(TGP)