Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan urged senior citizens to refrain from altering their senior identification cards to avoid complications when using them for discounts.
The mayor made this announcement on Tuesday, August 13, following concerns raised by the Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) about reproduced and scanned copies of some senior IDs.
Lacuna-Pangan stressed that forging senior IDs is illegal and that the reproduction of these cards, particularly when altering their size, is not allowed by the local government.
The mayor revealed that there are currently 206,000 senior citizens in Manila, and she encouraged them to utilize the services offered during the "Kalinga sa Maynila" events which will be held in their respective barangays.
These events feature OSCA stalls that handle new applications, renewals, and requests for new purchase of booklets, as well as offering free ID laminations to preserve the cards.
Meanwhile, OSCA head Atty. Elinor Jacinto clarified that the law signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which provides an additional cash benefit of P10,000 to senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90, and 95, is not yet in effect. It is expected to be implemented next year.
The city is awaiting the implementing rules and regulations for the distibution of the benefits, Jacito added.
Lacuna-Pangan said that her administration provides a P100,000 cash incentive to seniors who turn 100 years old, which she personally deliver to their homes.