Archival expresses reluctance to ease seniors cash aid requirements

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival signaled reluctance to relax documentary requirements for senior citizens claiming their quarterly financial assistance.

The mayor said any deviation from existing rules may expose the city government to legal and administrative risks.

Archival made the statement on Wednesday, June 17, when asked if the city could allow senior citizens who have lost their original Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) identification cards to present photocopies together with other valid government-issued IDs when claiming their benefits.

“We’ll look into that. Because there is a law. Every time you do something nga medyo mo-deviate ka gamay, ma-saway unsa na man pud ka,” Archival said in an interview.

“I mean, ang ako lang, kung unsay sakto, mao ray atong buhaton. Kay because, kung mohimo ta og deviation nga para lang sa kaayohan sa uban, unya pagkahuman, of course, kita na sa’y dautan, I don’t think that is a good idea,” he added.

Earlier, Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. urged the administration to reconsider portions of Executive Order No. 077, particularly the requirement for beneficiaries to present their original OSCA IDs when claiming financial assistance.

In a privilege speech delivered during Tuesday’s regular session of the City Council, Alcover argued that the stricter safeguards could unintentionally burden legitimate beneficiaries, especially elderly residents who have lost, damaged, or misplaced their identification cards.

The councilor proposed allowing alternative forms of verification, including government-issued IDs, barangay certifications, and certifications from the OSCA office confirming a beneficiary’s identity and registration details.

“A lost identification card should not become a reason to deprive a qualified senior citizen of assistance,” Alcover said.

He also pointed out that national government programs, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s social pension program, recognize various forms of identification for benefit claims.

Executive Order No. 077 restored the city’s quarterly payout scheme for senior citizens but introduced stricter validation and anti-fraud measures.

Under the order, beneficiaries are required to present their original OSCA identification cards during payout.

Disbursing officers are also directed to withhold payments if discrepancies are found between OSCA records and payroll data.

The policy further requires seniors who lose their IDs to first secure replacement cards or certifications before they can claim assistance.

The executive order is part of the city government’s efforts to tighten controls over the distribution of financial assistance, which provides qualified senior citizens P3,000 every quarter, or P12,000 annually.

Archival has consistently defended stricter verification procedures.

He cited the need to protect public funds and prevent fraudulent claims.

While he said the proposal to allow alternative verification methods could still be reviewed, the mayor stressed that any modification must remain within the bounds of existing laws and regulations.

For now, the city government appears set to proceed with the implementation of the original OSCA ID requirement when the distribution of senior citizens’ financial assistance begins on June 19.(TGP)