• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Sanggunjang Panglungsod is urging Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to increase the monthly allowance of Senior Citizen Chapter presidents from P500 to P1,000.
The resolution authored by Councilor Celia Matea Flor, chair of the SP Committee on Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs, said Elderly Filipino Week is celebrated yearly during the first week of October, as mandated by Proclamation No. 470, to emphasize the contributions of the elderly to national development.
October 1 to 7 is celebrated as National Filipino Elderly Week to honor and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our senior citizens to national development, it said.
Respective Senior Citizens Chapter presidents of each barangay play a vital role in coordinating the welfare and needs of senior citizens in their respective barangays, including the dissemination of important information and organizing activities that benefit the elderly population, the resolution said.
The current allowance of P500 per month provided to Senior Citizen Chapter presidents is no longer sufficient to cover the costs associated with their increasing workload and the increasing cost of transportation and communication, as well to compensate for their time, it said.
Recognizing the invaluable service and dedication of Senior Citizen Chapter presidents, there is an urgent need to provide them with adequate financial support to ensure they can continue to perform their duties effectively, the resolution said.
An increase in their monthly allowance to P1,000 would help alleviate the financial burden they face and incentivize the continuous improvement of services for the senior citizens in each barangay, it concluded.*