Manila mayor plans cash gifts for seniors' birthdays

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan announced on Thursday a plan to give cash gifts instead of cakes to senior citizens on their birthdays.

The decision comes after consultations with elderly residents who suffer from diabetes or high blood sugar and cannot enjoy sweets, as confirmed during a recent 'Kalinga sa Maynila' meeting at the San Andres Sports Complex.

Mayor Lacuna-Pangan is working closely with Vice Mayor Yul Servo to amend the existing city ordinance in support of this shift.

The initiative complements the recently doubled monthly senior citizens allowance from PHP500 to PHP1,000 through a previously enacted ordinance under her leadership.

City officials are also investigating reports that birthday cakes provided by the previous administration were overpriced.