MANILA Mayor Maria Sheila “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan has asked barangay officials to stop colluding with some senior citizens wanting to get certification from health centers that they are “bedridden”.

Mayor Lacuna also ordered Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) Director Asuncion “Re” Fugoso to validate the list of seniors who have double registration in separate barangays for double benefits.

During the “Kalinga sa Maynila” forum with residents of 5th District of Manila, Mayor Lacuna called the attention of barangay officials to be diligent and conscientious in requesting certification from the city health centers.

“May mangilan-ngilan po tayo na mga senior citizens at barangay officials na nagpapa-certify na bed ridden yung kanila pong constituents, pero pag dinalaw po, nakaupo o nakatayo naman sila.

Hindi po iyon bedridden,” Mayor Honey explained.

“Pasensiya na po ha, kasi talagang bina-validate po namin iyon kasi siyempre po, ang ginugugol naming pondo ay kami po ang ino-audit. Lahat po ng gagastusin ng pamahalaan, ino-audit po yan, alam po ninyo yan, kaya hindi ho maaari na magkamali po kami kasi kapag kami po ang nalusutan,, kami po ang kawawa,” the mayor added.

The mayor also mentioned the double entry by some seniors to gain double benefits from the local government.

“Ang dami na po naming nadiskubre, pagpaumanhin po ninyo, marami pong benepisyo talaga ang mga seniors dito sa ating lungsod kung kaya minsan po doble-doble po ang kanilang pagpaparehistro. Nagpaparehistro po sila sa isang barangay tapos magpaparehistro po sila sa ibang barangay, minsan po sa barangay ng mga anak nila. Madidiskubre na lang po namin may double entry po sila kaya doon nagkaka-problema,” Mayor Honey said.

Fugoso assured seniors that their monthly allowance will continue and will not be affected even if they are also qualified as beneficiary of the monthly social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

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Edd Reyes