Council to vote on couples gift

FOR 50TH, 75TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The City Council is set to vote on a proposal that would give financial assistance to underprivileged couples in Cebu City that would reach 50 and 75 years of marriage.

The proposal, penned by Councilor Sisinio Andales, will undergo final deliberation this week.

The Council’s committee on laws has said Andales’ proposal falls under Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991, which allows the Council to enact measures providing assistance to underprivileged residents in the city.

Andales said he proposed the measure to “provide the underprivileged couples the expenses to renew their marital vows and to defray the expenses for their milestone celebration."

The proposal defines “underprivileged couples” as those married via civil rites or religious rites but that belong to the marginalized sector.

If the proposal gets approved, couples that reach 50 years will get P30,000 while those that reach 75 years will get P50,000.

However, only couples that have lived in Cebu City for at least 10 years can qualify for the assistance.

To avail of the assistance, the couple would need to submit documents to the city, including a marriage certificate, barangay certification as proof of residency, a card issued by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, and a certificate from the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) that the couple does not enjoy a pension.

The city's Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) will evaluate applications and endorse the same to the Council for approval.

“Kay naay mga couple gusto mo celebrar sa maong golden o diamond wedding anniversary pero tungod sa kawad-on, gi-celebrar nalang nila sa hilum gani ilang mga anak o apo wala maka-balo nga 50th o 75th na diay ang ilang mga ginikanan sa kaminyuon. Let them celebrate with a little bang," Andales said.

Under Andales' proposal, the budget for the financial assistance should be charged against the city's funds for City Sponsored Activities.

City Budget Officer Marietta Gumia opined, however, that it should be taken from the Cebu City Women's and Family Affairs account, which still has P7 million in funds.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña believes, however, that the ordinance is "undesirable" at this point in time.

"It's good but it's not desirable. It's not desirable because we have our obligations. We have our priority that's higher," he said.

PAUL JUN ROSAROSO As pedestrians took shelter at a mall, taxis and jeepneys brave the flood waters on Sanciangko Street in Cebu City following a downpour Sunday afternoon. The flood managed to submerge partially some motorcycles parked along the street.