By: Ranie Jangayo
OUR FIRST reaction when we hear some good news is to thank God. Some would jump and laugh because of the good news, others would shout for joy. They even go to church to celebrate by thanking God for the blessing.
This is what happened to our senior citizens of Iloilo City. When they heard the good news about their Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens, they were excited about it. It was reported that each Senior Citizen received an amount ranging from P1,500 to P4,500.
But the bad news was when Mayor Joe III announced that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as mandated by the Commission on Audit (COA), sent him a letter demanding the refund of a total P1.830 million in social pensions for the Senior Citizens,
Ahay! Pobre nga mga tigulang daw tinakluban sila sang langit!
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Good news went the way of City Councilor Lyndon Acap, proponent of the City ordinance aiming to help solo/single parents, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panglunsod on Friday.
Based on the ordinance, solo/single parents can avail of livelihood assistance.
It is also good to hear that solo/single parents, who, according to Acap have suffered the most from the effects of economic crisis, can now rely on the local government.
Acap said that solo/single parents who, due to unfavorable circumstances, are left alone to face the consequences and will be struggling to provide and support the needs of their children. The support will be the basic necessities such as education, clothing, shelter etc.
We appreciate and commend the said approved ordinance which was anchored on Republic Act 8972 or the “Solo/Single Parents’ Welfare act of 2000.”
This is another kind of good news from the government and we pray that it will not turn into bad news! What happened to our Senior Citizens was a sad experience.
Kabay pa wala na bawi-ay!
Email: ranjangayosr1960@gmail.com
