Mandaue to raise cash aid for solo parents, seniors

Local

MANDAUE City is increasing financial assistance for solo parents and senior citizens while reviewing its anti-mendicancy program amid concerns over the return of people begging and roaming around the city.

The City Social Welfare Services Office (CSWSO) discussed the programs and anti-mendicancy efforts during a meeting with Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano on Sept. 10.

CSWSO Head Dr. Michael Pielago and Federation of Solo Parents Mandaue City Chapter Focal Person Pureza Tabuac joined the meeting.

The city has around 1,757 qualified solo parents who will receive P12,000 each annually.

The second tranche of the financial assistance could be released as early as next week.

The city increased the annual assistance for solo parents from P10,000 to P12,000.

Mandaue also raised the annual financial assistance for senior citizens, an increase that Mayor Jonkie Ouano highlighted during his State of the City Address on Aug. 28.

The Mandaue City Council approved an ordinance raising the annual assistance for senior citizens to P11,000 in 2026 and P12,000 annually starting in 2027.

The ordinance also changed the payout schedule from April and December to June and November, allowing senior citizens to receive the assistance in two tranches each year.

For 2026, senior citizens will receive the remaining P6,000 of the P11,000 annual assistance in November.

The ordinance is still awaiting the mayor’s signature before it takes effect.

The city has since started distributing the second tranche to senior citizen beneficiaries.

Congresswoman Lolypop Ouano-Dizon said she visited beneficiaries at the Banilad Gym before proceeding to Tipolo Elementary School, where senior citizens received the second tranche of financial assistance from the Mandaue City Government.

She said the city government increased the assistance to provide greater support to senior citizens and recognize their contributions to the community.

Board Member Atty. Olin Seno, City Councilors Fritz Villamor, Eugene Andaya, Ben Basiga, Atty. Carlo Fortuna, Ting Sol Cabahug, Anjong Ouano Icalina and Kevin Cabahug, along with Tipolo barangay officials, joined the distribution.

Meanwhile, Tabuac raised concerns over the increasing number of people begging or roaming around Mandaue.

She said the problem persists despite existing programs and actions by the local government to address mendicancy.

Tabuac said people engaged in mendicancy continue to return to the city even after the local government takes action against the practice.

Ouano said he would discuss the anti-mendicancy program with the city council to identify ways to strengthen its implementation and make it more effective.

The mayor also recognized the CSWSO’s continuing work in implementing city government services and making its programs accessible to residents, particularly solo parents.

City Administrator Atty. Sally Malig-on Jr. and Executive Secretary Atty. Riczen Gingoyon also joined the meeting.(MyTVCebu)