QC gov't to give P500 cash aid to senior citizens, solo parents, PWDs for one year
Senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will soon receive a monthly P500 cash aid from the local government of Quezon City for one year.
This, after Mayor Joy Belmonte approved Ordinance No. SP-3115, S-2022 to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing price of basic goods.
According to the city government, the ordinance will cover indigent senior citizens, solo parents and PWDs who are not benefiting from any other regular government financial assistance such as social pension, cash transfer program, etc.
The ordinance also states that only one beneficiary per household can avail of the financial assistance.
Individuals who are qualified to receive the cash aid may submit their applications to the Office for the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Office (PDAO), and the Social Services and Development Department (SSDD) for indigent solo parents.
If the applicants pass the initial interview with their corresponding offices, the SSDD field unit will conduct a case study to verify their eligibility, and those who will pass the case study will be registered as beneficiaries of the program.
The financial assistance will be distributed through direct payment methods, electronic or digital or via cash card.
OSCA, PDAO, or SSDD will conduct a re-evaluation after 12 months to determine if the beneficiaries remain eligible for the cash assistance program.
“Isa itong paraan para mapagaan ang epekto ng pandemya at pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, lalo na sa mga senior citizens, solo parents at PWDs (This is one way of mitigating the impact of the pandemic and rising commodity prices, especially on senior citizens, solo parents and PWDs),” Mayor Belmonte said.
The mayor added that the cash aid “will be of great help” in coping with their daily expenses for food, medicine and other necessities.
The cash aid will be given after the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the ordinance is approved.