Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed Monday an ordinance granting a birthday gift to senior citizens in the city.
Under Ordinance No. 8570, senior citizens living in Manila, aged 60 and above, will receive P800 birthday gift “in cash or in kind, or in combination thereof” starting 2020.
“If Makati can do it, why not Manila? I hope you don’t get a bad impression of me copying this. Ako naman, hindi mahihiya kapag nangongopya,” Moreno said during the signing ceremony at the Manila City Hall.
“Para sa kapakinabangan ng mga taga-Lungsod ng Maynila, hindi kami mahihiya mangopya (mula sa ibang lungsod). Basta sa mga estudyante, huwag mangopya,” he quipped.
Moreno added that they will use a “technology” to distribute these birthday gifts for the convenience of senior citizens and for transparency.
“The city government shall appropriate funds therefore which shall be used for the above purposes mandated by this ordinance in the city’s annual budget, and every year thereafter,” the ordinance read. (Joseph Pedrajas)