Some 18,500 elderlies and 2,500 tricycle drivers affected by the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic have received cash aid from the city government here amounting to a total of PHP30.45 million.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal, in an interview, said the grant aimed to cushion the impact of the health crisis on these vulnerable sectors.

“The government is duty-bound to help these vulnerable sectors. Our seniors had already made their contribution to our society long before. And the tricycle drivers are our indispensable partners in our economic and social engagements every day,” he said.

Rosal said the payout, done in three tranches, materialized after the city council approved Resolution No. 15-0290-2021 allocating the said amount.

“We want to commend the City Council for passing such a resolution that allowed the handing of cash assistance to these sectors of our society,” he said.

The cash distribution held on Tuesday was the third payout, with the first held in August, and the second, early this month.

Office for Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA) head Wilfredo Intia, in a separate interview, said the cash aid was distributed through the help of the Barangay Association of Senior Citizens Affairs and personnel of the City Treasurer’s Office.

Health and safety protocols were implemented as a precaution against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“Even in the distribution of this cash assistance, we need to observe the protocols, particularly on social distancing to avoid the potential spread of the virus,” Pecos said.

Barangay Bagacay chairperson Julian Ariola, a senior citizen, said he was very grateful to the city government for the assistance given them, which could be used in purchasing maintenance medicines.

“This (cash aid) is already a big help to us, more so to those who do not have a regular source of income anymore,” he added.

The senior citizens received PHP1,500 each, while the tricycle drivers got PHP1,000 each. (PNA)