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Commuters to get 20% fare discount in DOTr’s Service Contracting Program

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) XI officially rolled out the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Land-Based Service Contracting Program on Monday, April 27, offering a 20% fare discount to commuters across various routes in the region.

Regional director Nonito A. Llanos III said the program initially involves seven transport cooperatives and corporations operating modernized Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs). 

The discounted fares are available during peak hours— 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. — from Mondays to Fridays.

Participating routes

Commuters traveling the following routes via modernized PUVs can avail of the discount:

  • Davao City – Baganga (via Mati City)
  • Digos City – Malalag
  • Digos City – Bansalan
  • Digos City – Magsaysay Proper (via Bansalan or Matanao)
  • Digos City – Inawayan, Sta. Cruz
  • Malita, Davao Occidental – Davao City

To identify participating vehicles, passengers should look for official tarpaulin signage displayed on the front of the units.

Double discounts for priority groups

In a significant move for vulnerable sectors, the 20% Service Contracting discount is stackable.

This means that senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students will receive their mandatory 20% discount on top of the program’s 20% reduction.

The initiative follows directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DOTr Secretary Atty. Giovanni Z. Lopez, and LTFRB Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II.

Director Llanos III emphasized that the program provides a dual benefit. “This initiative is designed not only to provide much-needed relief to our commuters through reduced fares but also to support our Transport Service Entities (TSEs) in sustaining operations amid rising fuel prices,” Llanos said. “We are striking a balance—easing the burden on the riding public while ensuring our operators remain viable and capable of delivering safe service.”

As of Monday, five TSEs have begun operations under the program. Two more are scheduled to start tomorrow, April 28, while another two cooperatives are currently awaiting final approval to join the approved routes.

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News

NCSC XI: P20/kl rice available for vulnerable sectors under Murang Bigas Program

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE NATIONAL Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) XI announced that the elderly can buy P20 kilo rice under the Murang Bigas Program. 

The Department of Agriculture, through the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), is implementing the Murang Bigas Program to the priority sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.

“They may buy up to 20 kilos of rice per month at P20 per kilo, which is equivalent to P400 per beneficiary,” NCSC said in a statement on Thursday.

The agency said a group of 50 senior citizens will be accommodated per schedule, with a total allocation of 1,000 kilos of rice.

NCSC clarified that each senior citizen organization can only enroll in the program once each month. 

Senior citizens are advised to coordinate with their federations and barangay association officers for proper coordination and scheduling.

Only a designated authorized representative can make the group purchase, which is every Friday, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the NFA compound, Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City. Buyers are advised to bring their own empty sacks. 

The representative is directed to present documents, including a photocopy of the NCSC Certificate of Registration and/or Recognition; Authorization Letter issued by the Senior Citizens Organization, Association, or Federation; photocopy of the Senior Citizen ID with signature, and

Barangay Certification confirming the residency of the listed senior citizens.

As of March 20, around six NCSC-registered associations representing a total of 300 members have availed of the benefit. 

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News

36,000 PWDs to receive P1,500 financial subsidy each

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

AROUND 36,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the city will soon receive a financial subsidy of P1,500 each , Councilor Enzo Villafuerte announced Monday.

In an interview with city-run disaster radio, Villafuerte said the implementing office was able to fast-track the release of the subsidy.

“2027 dapat to sya pero napangitaan pamaagi mabudgetan by 2026,” Villafuerte added, noting the release is set in the first or second quarter.

He said if the list is finalized by March, the payout can start as soon as April and May.  

The Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) earlier said that around 36,000 PWDs were able to meet the cut-off period for the first release of the annual financial assistance.

PDAO Head Atty. Redendo Martinez said the cut-off period set was on or before October 31, 2025.

“By this year, it is included in the supplemental budget that will be distributed tentatively by June or July this year. Only those who were able to register prior to Oct. 31 can avail,” Martinez said.

To note, the City Council approved on final reading the ordinance providing annual financial assistance of P1,500 to all qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs) last Sept. 30, 2025.

The first rollout of the PWD subsidy will have the same amount as the seniors’ subsidy, but it might increase once the seniors’ subsidy also increases. 

Villafuerte cited that the subsidy for senior citizens will be adjusted from P1,500 to P2,000 this year.

One of the requirements will include a Certificate of residency of at least three years, aside from the PWD ID issued by the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office. 

For the mentally disabled and those who are bedridden,  family members or guardians can represent them to receive the assistance on their behalf.

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News

National commission XI to grant 13,844 senior citizens with cash gifts

by Gio Tanudtanud
written by Gio Tanudtanud

THE NATIONAL Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) XI targets 13,844 grantees who will receive cash incentives totalling P149 million this year as part of the ongoing Expanded Centenarians Act.

Filbert Bryan Sollesta, NSCC XI program development officer, urged qualified senior citizens to submit their requirements, which include an application form, proof of identity and age, and other documents to avail of the cash gift.

The commission will continue to accept applicants who were not able to submit their requirements in 2024 and 2025 until Mar 31, 2026.

Under RA 11982, “qualified senior citizens are entitled to P10,000 cash gifts upon reaching their milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, or 95 years old. Qualified centenarians (100 years old) shall receive P100,000 Cash Gift, along with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines.” 

In the region, Davao City has the most awardees with 3,624, followed by Davao del Norte with 2,802, and Davao de Oro with 2,243.

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News

Senior citizens in the city to receive cash gift before Christmas

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

MORE THAN 1,000 senior citizens in the city will receive a P10,000 cash subsidy in November under the Expanded Centenarian Act, an official said on Monday.

The Expanded Centenarians Act or Republic Act No. 11982 of 2024 provides cash gifts to senior citizens who reach specific milestone ages: P10,000 for 80, 85, 90, and 95, and P100,000 for 100 years old. 

During the Disaster Radio interview, Lorenzo Borja, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, said the priority beneficiaries are those who celebrated their birthday from March 17-December 31, 2024, and January-November 15, 2025.

“This will be the 6th batch, and we have completed the 5th batch. Those who did not make it to the cutoff date will be included in the next batch of payout,” Borja said.

For this batch, Borja said there are five centenarians or senior citizens of 100 years of age to receive P100,000 each. 

Meanwhile, for the P1,500 Annual Financial Assistance of the city, the payout schedules are as follows:

Nov. 7: Marilog District: Barangays Baganihan, Datu Salumay, and Gumitan 

Nov. 8: Barangays 1-A; 19-B; Indangan; and Tigatto

Nov. 10: Dalag and Salaysay

Nov. 11–12: Marilog Proper

Nov. 13: Magsaysay, Buda, and Bantol

Nov. 14: Malamba and Suawan

Nov. 15: Buhangin (A–D)

Beneficiaries are told to check their names posted by social workers in their respective barangays.

Borja reminded senior citizens who were not listed in the first batch may be included in the second or third. For instance, if their names are not found, they are advised to present to the barangay social worker a photocopy of their ID with three signatures.

For this year, the subsidy remains P1,500 for each senior citizen. But Borja emphasized that the additional subsidy is expected to be released next year, and the exact amount is subject to change.

“Maximum is P3,000, depending on the availability of funds. Anyway, it’s already approved, it’s already looked at by the city budget,” he said in an earlier interview.

OSCA reported that the elderly population reached 197,981, while some 19,000 on the list still need cleansing due to duplicate addresses and names.

The amendment of the City Ordinance No. 0954-22 was approved on May 20, 2025, doubling the annual financial assistance for qualified senior citizens from ₱1,500 to a maximum of ₱3,000.

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News

SP okays P1,500 financial aid for PWDs 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE 21ST City Council approved on final reading the ordinance providing annual financial assistance of P1,500 to all qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs) on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Councilor Enzo Villafuerte, chairperson of the civil, political, and human rights committee, said on Friday that the ordinance is a long time coming as it was proposed in the 20th City Council.

“The subsidy is the same with senior citizens, which is P1,500 annually,” Villafuerte clarified to the reporters in a sideline interview during the regular session.

The first rollout of the PWD subsidy will have the same amount as the seniors’ subsidy, but it might increase once the seniors’ subsidy also increases. He cited that the subsidy for senior citizens will be adjusted from P1,500 to P2,000 next year.

“I’m hoping by the time this will be implemented, which is in 2027, i-equal sa mga senior basin P2,000 na ang mahatag kung makaya sa budget,” he said.

He added that this is still subject to the availability of funds.

The councilor emphasized that qualifications do not require the beneficiary to have an apparent or non-apparent disability. Presently, there are about 37,000 registered PWDs in the city, which is subject to change as the office is expecting an influx of registrants.


One of the requirements will include a Certificate of residency of at least three years, aside from the PWD ID issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office. 

For the mentally disabled, family members or guardians can represent those with a learning disability or who are bedridden. The program will roll out in 2027, as it was not included in the list for the annual budget for 2026, which had a deadline on September 10.

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Business

302 senior citizens, PWDs hired on the spot

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE PUBLIC Employment and Services Office (PESO)- Davao City logged a total of 302 seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs) hired on the spot to work in partner food chains of the city government. 

The special job hiring for the senior citizens and PWDs was conducted on September 23-24.

In a press release, PESO Manager Lilibeth Pantinople said 80 seniors were hired by McDonald’s on the spot on the first day of the fair.

However, they will have to submit health certificates to prove they are fit to work as an additional requirement.

McDonald’s accommodated two batches, with 36 persons for each batch, covering 19 participating stores in the city, wherein each store will have two shifts –  morning and afternoon – for three months.

“For now, we have 80 seniors, as those eight seniors are considered reserves, for instance, an individual will be disqualified after the final medical test, where we require X-Ray, to ensure their fitness to work,” Pantinople said.

For the Jollibee Group, which conducted its hiring on September 24, 162 senior citizens and 60 PWDs were hired on the spot.

The Jollibee Group expanded its job opportunities to PWDs who are deaf and mute and have difficulty hearing. They will assign those hired across its 20 stores.

PESO said the 162 seniors will be deployed in four batches, with 40 per batch, and the first batch will report from October to December 2025. 

It should be noted that each batch will have four-hour duties, five days a week, from Monday to Friday, and will work for three months.

The employment is on a contractual basis, but is renewable after three months.

Meanwhile, the 60 PWDs will be deployed in three batches, with 20 persons per batch. They will work eight hours a day from Monday to Friday for five months.

It can be noted that the city government and Jollibee Group officially signed the memorandum of agreement on September 11, while the city signed the MOA with Golden Arches Development Corporation (the master franchisee of McDonald’s in the Philippines) on Sept. 9.

The initiative supports the implementation of the city’s Senior Citizens Job Opportunity Ordinance, which aims to provide jobs for able senior citizens, authored by Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr.

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Business

Productive citizens 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas
  • City, McDonald’s ink MOA to employ senior citizens

THE CITY government and McDonald’s Philippines, along with the Department of Labor and Employment XI, signed the memorandum of agreement for the work opportunity program for senior citizens on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Tess Domingo, director for Golden Arches Development Corp.’s Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partnering & People System Human Capital Group, said the food chain is committed to hiring 110 senior citizens for its 18 branches in the city starting this year. 

“We are grateful for our partnership with DOLE and PESO, and hopefully we can hire more people in more cities around the country,” Domingo said, adding that the program is the first of its kind for McDonald’s in the country.

In June this year, the City Council approved the Senior Citizens Work Opportunity Ordinance, authored by 2nd District Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus. 

In his speech, Mahipus said the MOA embodies the spirit of collaboration between the government and the private sector in providing livelihood opportunities.

“By opening your doors to this program, you are not merely offering discounts and privileges; you are extending respect and appreciation to our elderly,” he said.

In a message delivered by Councilor Enzo Villafuerte, Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte said the agreement recognized that many retired Davaoeños are still capable and productive.

“With this work opportunity, our dabawenyo senior citizens will be able to supplement their retirement income and maintain physical and mental health. We are optimistic they will bring positive change to the McDonald’s Davao family,” Duterte said.

Lorenzo Borja, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs chief, said applicants can qualify for the program regardless of age of applicants (60 years old and above), provided they meet the requirements set by the employer.

Qualified senior citizens will be employed as members of the regular crew and render four-hour shifts daily for five months. Meanwhile, their salary is the same rate as a regular employee.

“You will be seeing them in our stores, welcoming you to our stores, and will also be there to help you in terms of cleanliness and customer experience,” Austin Torres, senior public affairs manager of McDonald’s, said.

The City Council is also looking to enter into a similar agreement with Jollibee and Burger King soon.

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