Pagadian City local gov’t hands out cash to elderly on 56th charter day

Elderly aged over 80 and 90 line up to claim cash gifts in Pagadian City. LEAH D. AGONOY

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — As this capital city of Zamboanga del Sur province observed its 56th charter anniversary, the local government distributed cash bonuses to more than 500 of its elderly residents.

On Saturday, Mayor Samuel Co handed P2,000 each to 453 octogenarians and P3,000 each to 60 nonagenarians.

Co said the cash gifts are in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the community.

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For this year’s celebration, according to Co, the local government allocated P1,086,000 for the identified senior citizens from the city’s 54 barangays as part of its Gawad Kalinga Awards for octogenarians and nonagenarians.

Co added that an additional P420,000 budget was set aside for aid to 60 identified solo parents; and wheelchairs, crutches and canes for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

On Saturday, the local government also distributed school supplies to 90 street children while financial assistance was given to 12 families whose homes were gutted by fire recently.

Florita Tagayon, 81, of Barangay Macasing, said she thinks corn brew helped her and her husband live long.

While she counted 11 great-grandchildren, she was sorry for not being able to remember how many grandchildren they have out of the marriages of their nine children.

All the beneficiaries were identified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office. /mr