SEPTUAGENARIAN dependents here joined City Mayor Dan Lim in thanking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the P500 Katas ng VAT para kay Lolo and Lola one-time subsidy.
The program, which the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo put up, gets its fund from savings when the country imposed the 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services.
Beneficiaries of the Katas ng VAT are the country’s over-seventy-year olds who are not getting any pension and are totally dependent, explained Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral who personally launched the activity.
According to her, the president has earmarked P500M to help one million of the country’s septuagenarians who have no pensions or are earning below the poverty thresholds.
“This is the President’s way of extending to you her recognition for your contribution to nation building, Sec. Cabral told the 200 beneficiaries from the city’s 15 districts gathered during the event.
“This is the Presidents gift for you, for all the Boholanos and to all the senior citizens of the country,” she pointed out.
City Social welfare officer Dr. Teresita Villafuerte said they have predetermined the 200 beneficiaries since August and only those whose incomes fall below the P6,000 poverty threshold are prioritized for the subsidy.
At the ceremonial launching held at the City Hall Atrium, Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Teodolo Romo said the Bohol event also marked the beginning of subsidy distributions in Central Visayas.
For his part, Mayor Lim told the country’s social welfare secretary that the city has also been caring for its senior citizens. He also said the city social services for the senior citizens can compete with similar efforts in the entire archipelago.
But even then, he still thanked the national government through Secretary Cabral for the city’s 200 initial beneficiaries.
Those who qualify for the subsidy based on the guidelines would still be getting their share soon, the City Social welfare officer assured.
Only about 12 aging residents of each of Tagbilaran’s 15 districts initially get the P500, the rest to get their shares in the next few days, Villafuerte said. (PIA/rachiu)
TAX MONEY GETTING TO THE PEOPLE. A city resident, one of the 200 city residents who qualify for the cash aid, receives the P500 one-time Katas ng VAT subsidy from DSWD secretary Esperanza Cabral as City councilor Danilo Batugan look on. (PIA)
