BACOLOD City – Senior citizens in this city will soon receive a P1,000 cash gift on their birthdays following the approval of City Ordinance (CO) No. 1138 by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
The measure, authored by Councilor Em Ang, grants a one-time birthday cash incentive to qualified residents aged 60 and above as a gesture of appreciation for their lifelong contributions to the city’s growth and development.
The ordinance is in line with Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which mandates local government units to provide additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens.
Under the ordinance, the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), in coordination with barangay officials and the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO), will oversee the verification and screening process to ensure that only qualified beneficiaries are included in the master list.
The measure also directs OSCA to strengthen its registration and identification card (ID) issuance policies to prevent duplication, fraud, and other irregularities, while maintaining an updated and validated database of senior citizens in the city.
To qualify for the birthday cash gift, a senior citizen must be at least 60 years old; a registered voter and resident of Bacolod City for at least one year prior to their birthday; and a registered member of OSCA holding a valid senior citizen ID.
The ordinance further provides that the beneficiary must have an annual income not exceeding P60,000 from salary, pension, business profit, or a combination thereof at the time of his or her birthday.
The Office of the City Treasurer (CTO), in coordination with OSCA, has been tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the ordinance’s approval and to submit a report to the SP.
Distribution of the cash gift will be facilitated through the respective barangays, subject to existing auditing, accounting, and liquidation procedures. Barangay officials will work closely with OSCA to ensure orderly payouts and timely reporting to the CTO.
The ordinance was approved on third and final reading on February 23.
Ang said the initiative underscores Bacolod’s commitment to promoting the welfare, dignity, and well-being of its senior citizens, recognizing them as vital pillars of the community./PN
