A total of 1,072 members of the elderly community in Barangay San Antonio (BSA), Pasig City will receive their mid-year cash assistance from the barangay government this June. The local government began distributing the cash aid during the second week of June. "As of today, we are 96 percent done delivering the cash gifts of our senior citizens to their homes—an option that we choose to ensure that they are protected from Covid-19. Pandemic pa rin naman tayo and we want them to enjoy our gift without risking their health, lalo na at kasama sila sa mga vulnerable population,” said BSA Chairman Raymond Lising said. BSA Chairman Raymond Lising hands over the mid-year cash gifts of senior citizens who personally went to claim their incentive from the barangay. (BSA PHOTOS) Through this financial assistance arrangement, seniors in BSA each receive P1,000 from the government every middle of the year. This is separate from the other incentives offered to the elderly by the barangay such as the P500 Christmas cash gift, and the 10 kilos of rice for the "Pamaskong Handog" program every December. Seniors also receive a cake and gift pack from the government on their birthdays. Senior citizens who reach 90 years old are also rewarded with a P5,000 cash gift. If they are lucky enough to turn 100 years old, they are awarded with P10,000. Meanwhile, the barangay government also gives P5,000 as funeral assistance to the family members of elderly persons who have died. Lising said their government is truly allocating funds for programs to help senior citizens live comfortably and healthily in their barangay. Each of the cash gifts greatly benefits them as many of their elderly are taking maintenance medicines, need regular check-ups for ailments, and are still grappling with the effects of the Covid pandemic to their health and finances. That is why the barangay has also improved their "Alagang BSA" initiative to "prioritize the welfare of their communities aged 60 years and above. “This is our way of thanking our BSA lolos and lolas. In their glory days, they were part of the workforce that drove the barangay to the successful business district it is right now. And now, they are every family’s go-to people when it comes to guidance and wisdom,” Lising said.