The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has unanimously approved a resolution urging the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to increase the monthly allowance of the city’s Senior Citizen and PWD association presidents from ₱500 to ₱1,000.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, Chairperson of the SP Committee on PWD Affairs, and Councilor Celia Flor, Chairperson of the SP Committee on Senior Citizens, the measure highlights the critical role played by barangay-based association leaders in ensuring that government programs and services reach senior citizens and persons with disabilities efficiently, a press release said Thursday, Jan. 22.
“This is a recognition of our working presidents who serve as frontliners in the communities. They help coordinate activities, assist members with documentation and concerns, attend official meetings, and facilitate information dissemination, often using their own limited resources just to perform their duties.” Distrito said.
Under the resolution, Bacolod has 74 Senior Citizen Association Presidents and 42 PWD Association Presidents, all of whom serve as key coordinators and representatives of their respective organizations at the barangay and city levels.
Flor stressed that the increase is timely, given the rising costs of transportation and basic commodities.
“These leaders regularly attend meetings, orientations, consultations, and official activities called by OSCA, PDAO, DSSD, and other offices. The current allowance is mostly spent on transportation and incidental expenses. Increasing this support will help them sustain their participation and continue serving their members effectively,” Flor added.
The approved resolution emphasizes that raising the allowance will strengthen community-based leadership, improve coordination between the city government and sectoral organizations, and enhance the delivery of social services for senior citizens and PWDs across Bacolod, the press release said.*