About 200,000 registered senior citizens in Manila will see an increase in their monthly cash assistance, which will be distributed quarterly starting this year.

Mayor Honey Lacuna announced that, beginning in March, seniors will receive double their monthly allowance, totaling P4,000.

“Starting this March, our grandparents will receive their doubled monthly allowance. From P500, it will now be P1,000 each month,” Lacuna said.

She added, “The city government was able to increase financial assistance due to honest and genuine governance. It’s possible to help the people of Manila without borrowing money.”

Lacuna acknowledged the increase may not be enough but said it would provide much-needed relief for seniors, referencing the city’s previous debt of P17.8 billion under former Mayor Isko Moreno.

She thanked barangay officials for their help during every payout, not only for senior citizens but also for solo parents and persons with disabilities, and expressed gratitude for the continued support from the people of Manila.

The mayor tasked Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs head Elinor Jacinto with overseeing the quarterly senior allowance payout.

Jacinto noted that, in October, Lacuna signed Ordinance 9081, which doubles the monthly allowance of senior citizens in the city from P500 to P1,000.

The ordinance is Lacuna’s response to the constant requests from seniors, who would often ask for a higher allowance during the “Kalinga sa Maynila” program.

“Without fail, our grandparents always ask for an increase. They don’t want it every three months because it’s not whole. What our seniors want is a complete amount, so we made it P2,000 every four months. Now, we’ve doubled it,” Lacuna said.

Present during the ordinance signing were Jacinto, Secretary to the Mayor Marlon Lacson, and the principal authors of the ordinance, including Councilors Philip Lacuna, Fa Fugoso, Uno Lim, Niño dela Cruz, Atty. Jong Isip, Maile Atienza, Macky Lacson, Lei Lacuna, Charry Ortega and Marjun Isidro.

The allowance provision is part of the local government’s social amelioration program, passed by the Manila City Council when Lacuna was its presiding officer, a position she held concurrently as vice mayor.