Isko creates call centers for seniors

By Itchie G. Cabayan, People’s Tonight, 19 Jun 2020

SOON, the senior citizens in Manila who have concerns or queries will only have to dial a certain number and need no longer go all the way to City Hall.

Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the creation of a call center for the purpose, as he has also directed the Office of the Senior Citizens (OSCA) headed by Marjun Isidro to update its list of senior citizens in Manila to know who among them have already transferred residence or have passed on.

“Sisiyasatin mabuti ang mga sumakabilang-buhay o lumipat na para ang datos namin ay tama kasi, pera ng taumbayan ‘yan kailangan maging masinop kami sa pangangalaga ng pera ng bayan,” Moreno said.

Alongside this, Moreno said that the city government targets to finish in three months’ time the activation and distribution of PayMaya cards that will contain the P500 monthly pension of about 150,000 senior citizens in the city beginning January.

Moreno said he wants all senior citizens in the city covered, regardless if they are poor, rich or middle class, saying the cards will be delivered to their homes without violating any protocols set by the national government.

“Isa-isang inaayos ang mga cards bilang tulong sa OSCA. Ang gusto ko, ayusin ang datos kasi masakit pakinggan na dalawang magkaibigang senior, isa nagkaroon tapos ‘yung isa wala. Walang maiiwan,” Moreno assured.

The mayor said he is fully aware that as one grows old, his capacity to earn becomes less or limited and as such, the city government is thinking of ways to be of assistance to them in its own little way.

“Gusto natin matulungan ang mga senior citizens kaya naisip natin ang regular na ayuda pambili man lang ng paracetamol. Maliit pero gusto ko lahat mayakap,” Moreno added.

He also assured the elderly that it does not matter when they receive their cards since the amount contained will be the same as everyone else’s, which is P500 in monthly financial assistance beginning January.

Meanwhile, Moreno said a team of personnel will be trained to handle queries from senior citizens once the call center is established.

“Magkakaroon tayo ng call center para meron kayong matatawagan at di na kailangan magpunta ng city hall… mga katanungan ninyo, dun na masasagot. Ito ay para sa anumang uri ng concern ng senior citizens. Kung ang gobyerno ay di pa papayagan na magkita-kita, isip tayo ng paraan kung paano mag-usap,” Moreno said.

According to the mayor, he loves to talk to the people knowing it is the only way for him to know how the city government can further improve its services to the residents.