ERMITA, Manila — What had been targeted as an easier means of disbursing senior citizen monetary benefits has now become a problem as the city government of Manila is now actively addressing the ₱64-million senior citizens' fund currently under litigation.

According to Manila's Public Information Office chief and spokesperson Princess Abante, the disputed amount pertains to funds allocated for senior citizens allowance that is currently under legal resolution.
Despite this, Abante emphasized that the city government remains committed to ensuring that the intended recipients receive their benefits once the issue is settled.

"If you remember, in 2020, I was the one who actually wrote the ordinance for the senior citizens' allowance," she pointed out while highlighting the efforts made to distribute financial assistance efficiently, particularly through online transactions, which became the primary mode of disbursement during the corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Manila's spokesperson, however, acknowledged that there were difficulties in rolling out the online system, particularly for senior citizens unfamiliar with digital transactions.
"There was a challenge in making sure everyone had access to their stipends. Some senior citizens struggled with using the system, and we had to ensure that proper assistance was available to them," she clarified.

It was also explained that the city government's partnership with PayMaya (now known as Maya) played a significant role in the disbursement of financial assistance to senior citizens.
It was in 2019 that Manila actually collaborated with PayMaya to issue PayMaya-enabled ID cards to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents. These cards functioned both as identification and as cash cards, facilitating the efficient distribution of monthly stipends.

Using this innovative initiative, by April 2020, during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Manila disbursed over ₱13 million in financial aids to approximately 9,000 senior citizens through PayMaya.
Abante cited that the method was aimed at providing a safer and more transparent means of delivering assistance, minimizing cash handling and allowing beneficiaries to receive funds without leaving their homes.

Yet challenges unexpectedly emerged in the implementation of the system and some reports indicated that a portion of the funds remained unresolved—specifically, ₱64 million intended for senior citizens became entangled in legal disputes.

This was followed by many senior citizens claiming that they had not received their allowances, while PayMaya maintained that the amounts were already disbursed to the intended recipients.

In response to these concerns, the local government accordingly adjusted its approach and by late 2024, allowances began to be distributed through respective barangays, moving away from the PayMaya system. This shift aimed to accommodate beneficiaries' preferences for receiving their allowances directly from local community leaders.

"We listened to the feedback from our senior citizens. Many of them preferred receiving their allowances through the barangays, where they could directly claim their benefits without having to navigate an online platform," Abante noted while reiterating the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability, particularly in handling public funds designated for vulnerable sectors.

"The process of distribution is crucial, especially for our senior citizens who rely on these benefits. The city government is working diligently to resolve this issue as soon as possible," she stressed.

Still, the city government hss continued to monitor the situation closely even as legal proceedings are in progress and senior citizens and concerned parties are being encouraged to stay informed through official city announcements regarding the status of the fund distribution.